Method and apparatus for controlling well pressure in open-ended casing

Abstract

A system and method for preventing blowouts during the deployment of a casing string into a wellbore. The system includes securing a casing coupling to a casing string and securing a retrievable check valve within the casing coupling. The retrievable check valve allows fluid from the surface to be pumped through the retrievable check valve. However, the retrievable check valve prevents upward fluid flow from the wellbore through the retrievable check valve to the surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for deploying casing into a wellbore, comprising: 
 a casing string;    a deployment system for lowering the casing string into a wellbore from a surface location; and    a check valve assembly securable to the casing string, the check valve assembly preventing fluid from flowing upward through the casing string wherein the check valve assembly may selectively be released from the casing string to transport the check valve assembly to the surface location.    
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the check valve assembly allows fluid to flow downwardly through the check valve assembly from the surface location.  
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a multi-branch junction secured to the casing string.  
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 a retrieval device, the retrieval device being operable to retrieve the retrievable check valve from the casing string.    
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the casing string comprises a casing coupling configured for engagement with the check valve assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the check valve assembly comprises: 
 a housing;    a check valve disposed within the housing; and    a sealing member configured to form a seal between the housing and an interior surface of the casing string or casing coupling.    
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the retrieval device is deployed by a wireline.  
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the retrieval device is deployed by tubing.  
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the casing coupling is configured with a recess in an interior surface and the check valve assembly comprises a securing member configured for engagement with the recess.  
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a securing mechanism to maintain the, the securing mechanism being operable by the retrieval tool to disengage the securing member from the casing string.    
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the securing mechanism is operated by the retrieval tool to disengage the securing member from the casing string.  
     
     
         12 . A system for controlling well pressure in a wellbore during the insertion of 
 a casing, comprising: 
 a check valve assembly securable to the casing, comprising: 
 a housing;  
 a check valve disposed within the housing and oriented to allow fluid flow through the check valve assembly from a surface location;  
 a sealing member configured to form a seal between the housing and the casing;  
 a securing member configured for engagement with the casing; and  
 a releasing member, the releasing member being operable to release the securing member from the casing.  
 
   
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a releasing device, the releasing device being operable to operate the releasing member to release the securing member from the casing.    
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a multi-branch junction secured to an end of the casing string.  
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the check valve forms a barrier to fluid flow though the casing from the wellbore to the surface.  
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the releasing device is deployed by a wireline.  
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the releasing device is deployed by tubing.  
     
     
         18 . A method of deploying casing into a wellbore, comprising: 
 securing a blowout prevention assembly to a casing string;    deploying the casing string in a wellbore; and    retrieving the blowout prevention assembly from the casing string after the casing string is deployed.    
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein securing comprises configuring the casing string with a casing coupling.  
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 disposing a multi-branch junction at the lower end of the casing string.    
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein securing comprises configuring the blowout prevention assembly with a check valve oriented to enable fluid to be pumped downward from the surface through the casing string and the blowout prevention assembly.  
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein lowering comprises using a rig system to assemble the casing string.  
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein retrieving comprises deploying a retrieval tool to release the blowout prevention assembly from the casing coupling.  
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 pumping fluid from the surface through the blowout prevention assembly.    
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein configuring comprises disposing a coupling member in the casing string configured for mating engagement with the blowout prevention assembly.  
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 25 , wherein retrieving comprises providing a pulling force to the blowout prevention assembly to disengage the retrieval tool from the coupling member.  
     
     
         27 . A retrievable valve, comprising: 
 a body, the body being securable to wellbore casing;    a latch coupled to the body, the latch being operable to release the body from the wellbore casing; and    a check valve, the check valve enabling fluid flow through the body.    
     
     
         28 . The retrievable valve as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the retrievable valve is configured to enable fluid to flow downwardly through the check valve from a surface location.  
     
     
         29 . The retrievable valve as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising a multibranch junction secured to the casing string.  
     
     
         30 . The retrievable valve as recited in  claim 27 , comprising: 
 a retrieval device, the retrieval device being operable to operate the latch to release the retrievable valve from the casing string.    
     
     
         31 . The retrievable valve as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the wellbore casing comprises a casing coupling configured for engagement with the retrievable valve.  
     
     
         32 . A well completion string, comprising: 
 a casing string having a multilateral junction, the multilateral junction comprising a junction of at least two flow branches; and    a check valve disposed in the casing string above the multilateral junction.    
     
     
         33 . The well completion string as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the check valve is retrievable.  
     
     
         34 . The well completion string as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the check valve comprises a latch, the latch being operable to release the check valve from the casing string.  
     
     
         35 . The well completion system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the latch is operable by a retrieval tool extending from the surface.  
     
     
         36 . The retrievable valve as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the well completion string is configured to enable fluid to flow downwardly through the check valve and multibranch junction from a surface location.  
     
     
         37 . A well completion system, comprising: 
 a profile in a casing string; and    a casing shoe having a latch, the latch being adapted to cooperatively and selectively maintain the casing shoe in the casing.    
     
     
         38 . The system as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the casing shoe comprises: 
 a body, the body being securable to wellbore casing; and    a check valve, the check valve enabling fluid flow through the body.    
     
     
         39 . The as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the check valve is oriented to enable fluid to flow downwardly through the check valve from a surface location.  
     
     
         40 . The system as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the latch is operated from a remote location.