阅读说明：本技术 自动排放坐封工具和方法 (Automatic drain setting tool and method ) 是由 韦恩·O·罗森塔尔 于 2020-02-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于在井中坐封辅助工具(150)的坐封工具(200)。该坐封工具(200)包括：保持浮动活塞组件(220)的壳体(210)；与壳体(210)内部流体地接触的隔离阀组件(240)；以及安全片(223),其设置用于防止高压气体(108)通过浮动活塞组件(220)的孔。(A setting tool (200) for setting an auxiliary tool (150) in a well. The setting tool (200) comprises: a housing (210) holding a floating piston assembly (220); an isolation valve assembly (240) in fluid contact with an interior of the housing (210); and a safety plate (223) provided to prevent the high pressure gas (108) from passing through the hole of the floating piston assembly (220).)

1. A setting tool (200) for setting an auxiliary tool (150) in a well, the setting tool (200) comprising:

a housing (210) holding a floating piston assembly (220);

an isolation valve assembly (240) in fluid contact with an interior of the housing (210); and

a safety tab (223) provided to prevent the passage of high pressure gas (108) through the bore of the floating piston assembly (220).

2. The setting tool of claim 1, wherein the floating piston assembly (220) comprises:

a body (221) having a bore (228); and

a retaining nut (225) attached to the aperture (228) and configured to hold the security patch (223) in place.

3. The setting tool of claim 2, further comprising:

a drain pin (226) disposed in the bore of the retaining nut; and

a shear screw (227) that retains a retaining nut attached to the drain pin.

4. The setting tool of claim 1, wherein the isolation valve assembly (240) comprises:

a body (441) having a bore (442);

a sleeve insert (444) located inside the bore (442), the sleeve insert (444) having a bore (446); and

a movable isolation valve (450) located inside the bore of the sleeve insert,

wherein a first end of the moveable isolation valve is in contact with the sleeve insert and a second end of the moveable isolation valve is not in contact with the body.

5. The setting tool of claim 4, wherein the sleeve insert (444) is fixedly attached to the body (441) by threads, and the movable isolation valve (450) is movably attached to the sleeve insert by shear screws (448).

6. The setting tool of claim 5, wherein the body (441) has a side port (456) that allows fluid communication between an interior of an isolation valve assembly and an exterior of the isolation valve assembly.

7. The setting tool of claim 6, wherein the moveable isolation valve has a bore that is not in fluid communication with the side port when the second end of the moveable isolation valve is not in contact with the body.

8. The setting tool of claim 6, wherein the moveable isolation valve has a bore in fluid communication with the side port when the second end of the moveable isolation valve is in contact with the body.

9. The setting tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a hydraulic chamber within the housing between the floating piston assembly (220) and the isolation valve assembly (240),

wherein the hydraulic chamber is filled with a hydraulic liquid,

wherein the floating piston assembly is configured to slide within the housing under pressure of the high pressure gas and force hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic chamber through the isolation valve assembly,

wherein the floating piston assembly is configured to contact the isolation valve assembly and urge the movable isolation valve against the sleeve insert of the isolation valve assembly to shut off hydraulic fluid flow through the isolation valve assembly, and

wherein the floating piston assembly is configured to further urge the movable isolation valve relative to the body such that the drain pin of the floating piston assembly is disconnected from the body of the floating piston assembly and the rupture disc is breached to release pressurized gas into the isolation valve assembly and out of the setting tool.

10. A method for cutting off a flow of oil and venting pressurized gas from a setting tool, the method comprising:

lowering (1200) a setting tool (200) into a well;

activating (1202) the setting tool (200) such that pressurized gas (108) is generated in the setting tool (200) and the pressurized gas (108) acts on a safety disc (223) sealing a bore of the floating piston assembly (220), wherein the safety disc prevents the pressurized gas (108) from moving through the floating piston assembly (220);

translating (1204) an isolation valve assembly (240) located in a housing (210) of a setting tool (200) to shut off oil flow;

opening (1206) a side port (456) formed in the housing (210); and

the rupture discs of the floating piston assembly (220) are broken (1208) to allow the high pressure gas (108) to vent to the exterior of the housing through the side ports (456).

Technical Field

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate generally to downhole tools for well operations, and more particularly to an automatic drain setting tool for actuating an auxiliary tool for use in a well.

Background

During exploration of a well, various tools are lowered into the well and placed in desired locations for plugging, perforating or drilling the well. These tools are placed in the well by means of a conduit (e.g., a cable, a wire, a coiled tubing, a threaded work string, etc.). However, these tools require activation or setting in place. The force required to activate such a tool is large, e.g., in excess of 15000 pounds. In some cases, the catheter described above cannot provide such a large force.

Explosive setting tools are commonly used in the industry to activate such tools. For example, the baker's type E-4 cable pressure setting tool employs an externally mounted, manually operated burst disc to release internal high pressure gas after the setting tool returns to the ground.

The setting tool 100 is shown in fig. 1 and includes a firing head 102 connected to a pressure chamber 104. The ignition head 102 ignites the primary igniter 103, which then ignites the power charge 106, which generates high pressure gas 108. It should be noted that a secondary igniter may be positioned between the primary igniter and the power charge to enhance the ignition effect of the primary igniter.

A cylinder 110 is attached to the housing 107 of the pressure chamber 104 by a manual drain valve fitting 105 having a connection 105A (e.g., a threaded connection) and is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber. Thus, as the power charge 106 combusts, high pressure gases 108 generated inside the pressure chamber 104 are directed into the cylinder 110. A floating piston 112 located inside the cylinder 110 is pushed to the right in the drawing by the pressure of the gas 108. The oil 115 stored in the first chamber 114 of the cylinder 110 is pushed through a connector fitting 116 and a metering hole 117 formed in a block 118 connected to the cylinder 110 to a second chamber 120 formed in the lower portion of a second cylinder 121. The second piston 122 is located in a lower portion of the second cylinder 121. Under the pressure exerted by oil 115, piston 122 and piston rod 124 move downstream while exerting a large force on cross-link 126, which transfers the internally generated force to movable outer cross-link sleeve 128. A setting sleeve 131 for a wellbore tool 150 to be set is attached to the lower end of the cross-over sleeve 128. The wellbore tool 150 is attached to the setting mandrel 133 by a releasable device, such as a split stud, shear screw, or the like.

Thus, when the setting tool is actuated, the setting sleeve 131 pushes the components of the wellbore tool 150 to the deployed gripping members and rubber gaskets, while the setting mandrel 133 retains the inner body of the wellbore tool. When a predetermined force is reached, the release device fails, which releases the setting tool 100 for retrieval while setting the wellbore tool 150. It is noted that the cylinder 121 has a downstream end 130 sealed with a cylinder head 132 that allows the piston rod 124 to move downstream.

After the setting tool has been retrieved to the surface, a large amount of pressurized gas 108 is present inside and must be vented in order to clean the setting tool and prepare it for reuse. The high pressure gas 108 has mixed with the oil 115 used to stroke the wellbore tool, thus rendering the oil too contaminated for reuse. Therefore, the oil needs to be removed from the setting tool and disposed of in preparation for another use of the setting tool. To remove the high pressure gas and replace the contaminated oil, the entire setting tool must be disassembled, the parts cleaned and then reassembled. This is not only time consuming, but also dangerous (venting of air pressure), especially in remote areas where appropriate facilities are not available.

Releasing the high pressure gas 108 inside the pressure chamber 104 is not only detrimental to the health of the workers performing the task (since the power charge may leave toxic gases after combustion), but also presents safety issues (since the high pressure gas pressure left inside the pressure chamber is already high enough to harm the workers if the release procedure is not followed).

In this regard, it is noted that the conventional setting tool 100 has a relief valve 140 for manually venting high pressure gas from inside the pressure chamber. However, when the release valve 140 is removed from the pressure chamber in an improper manner, the valve may become a missile and injure the person removing it. For this purpose, a dedicated removal procedure is employed, while a safety sleeve is used to cover the relief valve for releasing pressure from the setting tool.

However, this procedure is cumbersome and time consuming, and if a person neglects any details in the procedure, the person may be injured by the release valve. Therefore, there is a need to establish a safe method of automatically venting high gas pressure from inside the setting tool while the setting tool is still inside the wellbore. There is also a need to prevent high pressure gas from mixing with the oil used to create the stroking motion of the setting tool. If these goals are achieved, all that is required to bring the setting tool back into service when it is returned to the ground is to flush the ballistic power chambers, replace the consumables and push the oil/piston back to its original position. Accordingly, there is a need for such advanced setting tools.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment, a setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well is provided. This setting instrument includes: a housing holding a floating piston assembly; an isolation valve assembly in fluid contact with the housing interior; and a safety tab configured to prevent high pressure gas from passing through the bore of the floating piston assembly.

According to another embodiment, a retrofit kit for a setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well is provided. The retrofit kit includes an isolation valve assembly in a housing of a setting tool and a floating piston assembly having a safety tab. A safety tab is provided for preventing high pressure gas from entering the housing through the floating piston assembly.

According to yet another embodiment, a method for cutting off oil flow and venting high pressure gas from a setting tool is provided. The method comprises the following steps: lowering a setting tool into the well; a step of activating the setting tool such that pressurized gas is generated in the setting tool and acts on a safety disc sealing the bore of the floating piston assembly, wherein the disc prevents high pressure gas from moving through the floating piston assembly; the step of translating an isolation valve assembly located in a housing of the setting tool to shut off the flow of oil; a step of opening a side port formed in the housing; and a step of breaking the rupture discs of the floating piston assembly to discharge the pressurized gas to the outside of the housing through the side ports.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments; in the drawings:

figure 1 shows a setting tool which needs to be retrieved to the surface to manually remove pressurised gas from the interior;

FIG. 2 shows an automatic vent setting tool that also automatically shuts off oil flow;

FIG. 3 illustrates a floating piston assembly that is part of an automatic vent setting tool;

FIG. 4 shows an isolation valve assembly that is also part of an automatic drain setting tool;

FIG. 5 illustrates a floating piston assembly and isolation valve assembly placed inside the housing of an automatic drain setting tool;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for activating an automatic drain setting tool;

FIG. 7 illustrates the automatic drain setting tool as the floating piston assembly moves toward the isolation valve assembly;

FIG. 8 shows the automatic drain setting tool when the floating piston assembly has engaged the isolation valve assembly;

FIG. 9 illustrates the path of pressurized gas through the floating piston assembly;

FIG. 10 illustrates the path of pressurized gas through the isolation valve assembly;

FIG. 11 shows the automatic drain setting tool when deployed in a well; and

fig. 12 shows a flow chart of a method for actuating an automatic drain setting tool.

Detailed Description

The embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. For simplicity, the following embodiments are discussed with respect to setting tools. However, the embodiments discussed herein are also applicable to any tool in which high pressure gas is generated and then needs to be released quickly and efficiently outside the tool.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

According to one embodiment, an automatic drain setting tool has a floating piston assembly that separates combusted gases (creating residual undesirable pressure) from oil used to set wellbore equipment attached to the setting tool. The floating piston assembly contains a through hole that is temporarily blocked by a frangible O-ring seal that is held in place by a plate retainer. The blast or vent pin is placed inside a chip holder that is held in a delayed position by two or more frangible shear screws. All of the elements of the floating piston assembly move as a unit when subjected to the gas pressure generated by the burning explosive power charge. The floating piston assembly is placed inside a cylinder connected to a pressure chamber. The void space inside the cylinder below the floating piston assembly is filled with oil, and the configuration of the floating piston assembly prevents the generated gas from mixing with the oil. As now discussed, the new floating piston assembly can be retrofitted to existing setting tools.

Fig. 2 shows a setting tool 200 (e.g., a beck setting tool) that has been retrofitted with a retrofit kit 202, the retrofit kit 202 containing a floating piston assembly 220 and an isolation valve assembly 240. All other elements of the setting tool 200 may be the elements shown in fig. 1 and discussed above. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted herein. A floating piston assembly 220 is disposed within the upstream end of the housing 110. In this application, the term "upstream" is used to indicate the direction towards the casing head and the term "downstream" is used to indicate the direction towards the toe of the well. Void space 114 below floating piston assembly 220 is filled with a quantity of oil 115 or similar hydraulic fluid, and void space 114 is described herein as hydraulic chamber 114. Floating piston assembly 220 and isolation valve assembly 240 will now be discussed in more detail with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 shows a floating piston assembly 220 having a piston body 221, a retaining nut 225 placed inside the body 221, and a drain pin 226 located partially inside the piston body 221 and retaining nut 225 and partially outside these elements. The retaining nut 225 is externally threaded and is configured to engage mating threads 222 formed in the piston body 221. The piston body 221 has a passage 228 extending through the entire body. As shown, a security flap (e.g., made of metal) 223 is placed to close and seal the channel 228. In one application, an O-ring 224 may be located between the body 221 and the safety tab 223 to prevent high pressure gas and/or oil from moving through the tab. Retaining nut 225 holds safety tab 223 in place inside piston body 221. The drain pin 226 has a first end 226A or boss (boss) facing the tab 223. In one embodiment, there is a small gap between the first end 226A and the security flap 223. However, in another application, the first end 226A taps the tab 223.

Drain pin 226 has a second end 226B opposite first end 226A. The second end 226B has a partial bore 226C extending longitudinally along the drain pin and beginning from the downstream face, and also has a port 226D formed on one side of the drain pin. It is noted that the partial bore 226C does not extend through the entire drain pin. The partial bore 226C and the port 226D are in fluid communication with each other.

Drain pin 226 is attached to retaining nut 225 with two or more frangible pins 227. The drain pin 226 has a shoulder 231 with a corresponding shoulder 230 formed in the channel 228 of the piston body 221 that mates as the drain pin moves toward the retaining nut. However, in the initial configuration shown in fig. 3, the two shoulders 230 and 231 are separated from each other such that a channel 232 is formed therebetween. Additional channels 229 are formed in the piston body 221 to enable high pressure gas from the hydraulic chamber to move through the floating piston assembly 220.

When the floating piston assembly 220 is placed inside the housing, one or more O-rings 234 may be located outside the body 221 to seal the interface between the body and the housing 210. It is noted that the floating piston assembly 220 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 2 as being located at the upstream end of the housing 210. However, as discussed later, floating piston assembly 220 will move downstream to engage isolation valve assembly 240. It is also noted that the housing 210 may include not only a cylinder as shown, but also one or more joints or other connecting components. Also, floating piston assembly 220 and isolation valve assembly 240 may be located in any of these components of the housing.

Isolation valve assembly 240 will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 4. Isolation valve assembly 240 connects and seals the downstream end of housing 210 shown in fig. 2. Isolation valve assembly 240 includes a connector body 441 attached to housing 210 by threads 441A. The connector body may be sealed with an O-ring 410. The body 441 has an internal bore 442 extending through the entire body 441. A sleeve insert 444 is provided within the bore 442. The sleeve insert 444 is attached to the bore 442 by threads 444A. Thus, the sleeve insert 444 cannot move relative to the body 441. In one embodiment, the body 441 is machined to replicate the sleeve insert 444 so that no additional sleeve is required. In this case, the body 441 and the sleeve 444 are formed as a single piece.

The sleeve insert 444, in turn, has its own bore 446 in which the movable isolation valve 450 is located. In fig. 4, the movable isolation valve 450 is attached to the sleeve insert 444 by one or more shear screws 448 (or any other frangible element) such that the sleeve insert 444 and the movable isolation valve 450 do not initially move relative to each other, i.e., movement of the movable isolation valve 450 is restricted. Two O-rings 455 are placed between movable isolation valve 450 and sleeve insert 444 and between body 441 to bridge vertical port 456 formed in body 441, i.e., to prevent fluid from exiting isolation valve assembly 240 through port 456. However, the moveable isolation valve 450 has a passage 458 and a slot 460 that allow fluid inside the bore 450A of the moveable isolation valve 450 to move through the moveable isolation valve 450 when the sleeve insert 444 is coupled to the moveable isolation valve 450. It is noted that the slot 460 in fig. 4 is in fluid communication with the passage 462. The passage 458 formed at the downstream end 454 of the movable isolation valve 450 is in fluid communication with a metering bore 470 and a sealing bore 459 formed in the body 441 at the downstream end of the body. The seal bore 459 and the metering bore 470 are in fluid communication with the bore 442. Seal bore 459 has one or more O-rings 472 to seal bore 459 when moveable isolation valve 450 is moved downstream, as described later. The movable isolation valve 450 has an outer shoulder 480 that mates with an inner shoulder 482 of the insert 444 such that the travel distance of the isolation valve 450 is limited, i.e., the isolation valve stops when the two shoulders 480 and 482 contact each other.

As shown in fig. 4, oil 115 from the hydraulic chamber 104 (see fig. 2) enters the bore 450A of the isolation valve 450. While the isolation valve 450 is still attached to the casing insert 444, the oil 115 can move through the bore 450A of the isolation valve 450, then through the passage 458 to the seal bore 459 and the metering bore 470, then to the second chamber 120, thereby retaining the second piston 122 (also shown in fig. 2) to actuate the wellbore tool 150. However, this path will automatically close as the isolation valve 450 moves downstream relative to the body 441, as will be discussed later.

Fig. 5 shows the setting tool 200 with a floating piston assembly 220 and isolation valve assembly 240 both placed inside the housing 210 and ready to be actuated. A method for actuating the setting tool 200 will now be discussed with reference to fig. 6. In step 600, the setting tool 200 shown in fig. 5 is attached to the wellbore tool 150 (see fig. 2) and both elements are lowered into the well. The wellbore tool 150 may be a bridge plug or a packer. In step 602, the setting tool is actuated by, for example, igniting the primary igniter 103. The primary igniter 103 ignites the power charge 106 in the pressure chamber 104. High pressure gas 108 enters passage 228 and forces floating piston assembly 220 to move downstream, as shown in FIG. 7. This occurs because the plate 223 prevents the high pressure gas 108 from moving through the floating piston assembly 220. As a result of this movement, the oil 115 in the hydraulic chamber 114 begins to migrate downstream toward the second chamber 120, along the isolation valve assembly 240, through the passage 458, the seal bore 459, and the metering bore 470. It should be noted that fig. 7 shows the floating piston assembly 220 being halfway through the setting tool stroke and the hydraulic chamber 114 being smaller. At this point the disc is still intact because the pressure applied to the disc 223 is not sufficient to rupture it. To this end, floating piston assembly 220 moves downstream and no high pressure gas 108 from pressure chamber 104 mixes with oil 115 in hydraulic chamber 114.

However, upon stroking the setting tool to a position approximately halfway, the burning power charge 106 will generate sufficient gas pressure to fully set and release from the wellbore tool 150 in step 604. The setting tool 200 stroke travel will continue to its design limit and the automatic oil flow shut off begins in step 606.

As floating piston assembly 220 continues to move downstream toward isolation valve assembly 240, a clapper drain pin 226 contained within floating piston body 221 contacts and pushes against the upstream end of isolation valve 250. As force and movement increase, frangible shear screws 448 (see fig. 4) connecting the sleeve insert 444 to the isolation valve 450 will be severed (see both portions 448A and 448B in fig. 8), allowing the isolation valve 450 to be pushed downstream inside the sleeve insert 444. It is noted that drain pin 426 is retained within retaining nut 225 by two (or more) frangible shear screws 227 (see fig. 7). This is to ensure that drain pin 226 remains fixed in position inside floating piston assembly 220 at this stage as isolation valve 450 moves downstream.

When the isolation valve 450 is pushed downstream inside the body 441 as shown in fig. 8, the downstream end 454 of the valve body 450 and the O-ring 472 enter the seal bore 459 and immediately and automatically stop the flow of oil into the second chamber 120 in the lower portion of the second cylinder 121 because the most downstream portion of the isolation valve 450 is machined to closely fit inside the seal bore 459. However, in one embodiment, the most downstream portion of the isolation valve body may be machined to have an outer diameter smaller than the seal bore 459, so that oil 115 can flow through the isolation valve 450 even when the internal air pressure is being automatically vented. At the same time, the two O-rings 455 have moved downstream without covering several of the vertical ports 456 located in the body 441. The remaining oil 115 pushed downstream by the floating piston assembly 220 is discharged into the wellbore, i.e., out of the setting tool, through a plurality of vertical ports 456. Downstream movement of the isolation valve 450 stops when the shoulder 480 of the valve contacts the shoulder 482 of the sleeve insert 444. This means that the oil located in the second chamber 120 and downstream thereof is not contaminated by the high pressure gas 108, while a small amount of oil remaining above the second chamber 120 is removed from the setting tool through the port 456.

As the air pressure in pressure chamber 104 continues to exert a downstream thrust on floating piston assembly 220, downstream end 226B of drain pin 226 still pushes against isolation valve 450 (see fig. 8), which is now immovable, so as to establish sufficient force to sever the two (or more) frangible shear screws 227 connecting drain pin 226 to disc holder 225 (see fig. 3). Continued downstream movement of the floating piston body 221 allows the trapped rupture disc 223 to be penetrated by the boss 226A of the drain pin 226 and an automatic bleed of air pressure is initiated at step 608. In other words, the high pressure gas 108 is now allowed to travel through the floating piston assembly 220, then partially through the isolation valve assembly 240, and then exit to the exterior of the housing 410 of the setting tool 200 through the port 456. When tab 223 is pierced and shoulders 230 and 231 (see fig. 3) contact each other, downstream movement of floating piston assembly 220 ceases.

In this regard, FIG. 8 illustrates the final position of floating piston assembly 220 and isolation valve assembly 240 when automatic venting occurs. Fig. 9 shows the flow of clear gas 108 through channel 228 and channel 229. It is noted that in fig. 9, the tab has now broken because the boss 226A of the drain pin 226 has moved past the tab 223. Fig. 10 shows the flow path inside the automatic discharge setting tool 200 for the clear gas 108 to exit into the wellbore through the hole 450A, port 460, passage 462 and through port 456.

The setting tool 200 discussed in the previous embodiments may be used in a well now discussed with reference to fig. 11. Fig. 11 shows a well 1000 that has been drilled to a desired depth H relative to the surface 1002. A casing string 1100 protecting the wellbore 1040 has been installed and cemented in place. To connect the wellbore 1040 to the formation 1060 to extract oil and/or gas, it is necessary to perforate and fracture the various stages of the casing. To perforate and fracture a given stage, a wellbore tool 1120 (e.g., a plug) needs to be deployed in the well to isolate the downstream stages.

A typical process for attaching a casing to a formation may include the steps of: (1) connecting a plug 1120 (known as a frac plug) having a through port 1140 to the setting tool 200, (2) lowering the setting tool 200 and plug 1120 into the well, (3) disposing the plug by actuating the setting tool, and (4) perforating a new stage 1170 above the plug 1120. The perforating step may be accomplished by a barrel string 1200 lowered into the well with a cable 1220. A controller 1240 located at the surface controls the cable 1220 and sends various commands along the cable to actuate the gun assembly of one or more gun strings or the setting tool 200 attached to the most distal gun assembly.

As shown in fig. 11, the conventional barrel string 1200 includes a plurality of carriers 1260 connected to each other by respective connectors 1280. Each connector 1280 includes a detonator 1300 and a corresponding switch 1320. The corresponding switch 1320 is actuated by the explosion of the downstream gun. When this occurs, the detonator 1300 is connected to the through-wire and the upstream gun is activated when a command from the surface is received to activate the detonator 1300. When the most distal detonator is actuated, the power charge 106 from the setting tool 200 is ignited and the setting tool is actuated, as discussed with reference to fig. 6. When the detonator is actuated, the setting tool 200 engages to the auxiliary tool 1120 (e.g., a plug in this embodiment). As with the previously discussed embodiments shown in fig. 2-10, after the setting tool has been activated and pressurized gas has set the plug 1120, pressurized gas from the setting tool is discharged into the well. After or simultaneously with this, the setting tool 200 is retrieved from the plug 1120 as shown in FIG. 11, and the operator of the gun string can begin the fracturing process. It is noted that at this point the oil in the setting tool has been isolated from the gas generated by the power charge and the pressure built up in the pressure chamber has been released to the outside of the setting tool. Thus, when the setting tool is retrieved to the surface, it has been emptied and there is no pressurized gas to remove. Resetting the setting tool is also much easier than before because the gas and oil are not mixed and the oil 115 from the second chamber 120 can be reused because it is not contaminated by the gas 108.

The setting tool discussed above may be manufactured to have the configuration shown in the previous figures. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the new functionality shown in the figures may also be implemented retroactively into existing setting tools. Thus, in one embodiment, the floating piston of a conventional setting tool may be replaced with the floating piston assembly 220 shown in FIG. 3. In addition, a conventional setting tool may be modified to accommodate isolation valve assembly 240 as shown in FIG. 4. It is also noted that similar to the conventional setting tool 100 shown in fig. 1, the new setting tool 200 shown in fig. 2 may still include a relief valve 140 disposed at the pressure chamber 104. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the release valve 140 may be removed from the setting tool 200.

A method for cutting off the oil flow and venting gas in a setting tool as shown above will now be discussed with reference to fig. 12. The method comprises the following steps: lowering 1200 the setting tool 200 into the well; step 1202, activating the setting tool 200 such that pressurized gas 108 is generated in the setting tool 200 and the pressurized gas 108 acts on a safety tab 223 sealing the bore of the floating piston assembly 220 to prevent the pressurized gas 108 from moving through the floating piston assembly 220; a step 1204 of translating an isolation valve assembly 240 located in the housing 210 of the setting tool 200 to shut off the oil flow; a step 1206 of opening a side port 456 formed in the housing 210; and a step 1208 of rupturing a rupture disc of the floating piston assembly 220 to vent the pressurized gas 108 to the exterior of the housing through the side port 456.

The method may further comprise: a step of translating the floating piston assembly along the housing under the pressure of the pressurized gas to force hydraulic fluid stored between the floating piston assembly and the isolation valve assembly to move through the isolation valve assembly; and/or contacting the floating piston assembly with the isolation valve assembly; a step of pushing a movable isolation valve of the floating piston assembly against a sleeve insert of the isolation valve assembly to shut off hydraulic fluid flow through the isolation valve assembly; and/or the step of further pushing the movable isolation valve with the floating piston assembly such that the vent pin of the floating piston assembly is disconnected from the body of the floating piston assembly and the safety tab is breached to release the pressurized gas to the exterior of the setting tool.

The disclosed embodiments provide methods and systems for automatically venting pressurized gas from a setting tool when the setting tool is located in a well and closing a valve to prevent the pressurized gas from mixing with oil used to actuate the setting tool. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover modifications, equivalents, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.

Although the features and elements of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein.

This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the subject matter, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The claims define the scope of the subject matter and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are also within the scope of the claims.