Reduced friction j-latch device

Abstract

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for selectively engaging, raising or lowering, and disengaging downhole equipment via a reduced friction J-latch mechanism is provided. The disclosed J-latch mechanism generally includes a J-latch receptacle including a cylinder having a slot formed therein, the slot having an open end exposed at one end of the cylinder and a truncated slot area at an opposite end of the slot from the open end. The J-latch mechanism also includes a J-latch lug member including a mounting portion with a lug disposed thereon for removably interfacing with the slot of the J-latch receptacle. The lug includes a bearing assembly to reduce friction between the slot and the lug while selectively engaging and disengaging the lug member from the receptacle. The disclosed J-latch mechanism may improve the efficiency of deployment, retrieval, and actuation of a wide range of oilfield equipment under heave conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a J-latch mechanism, comprising:
 a J-latch receptacle comprising a cylinder having a slot formed therein, the slot having an open end exposed at one end of the cylinder and a truncated slot area at an opposite end of the slot from the open end; and 
 a J-latch lug member comprising a mounting portion with a lug disposed thereon for removably interfacing with the slot of the J-latch receptacle, wherein the lug comprises a bearing assembly to reduce friction between the slot and the lug while selectively engaging and disengaging the J-latch lug member from the J-latch receptacle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing assembly comprises roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, needle roller bearings, self-aligning bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, or carb toroidal bearings. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the J-latch receptacle comprises a plurality of slots formed therein, each slot having an open end exposed at one end of the cylinder and a truncated slot area at an opposite end of the slot from the open end, and wherein the J-latch lug member comprises a plurality of lugs disposed on the mounting member for removably interfacing with the plurality slots of the J-latch receptacle, each of the lugs comprising a bearing assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the J-latch receptacle comprises a component piece that is integral with an equipment component for use downhole. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the J-latch receptacle comprises a sub removably coupled to an equipment component for use downhole. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the J-latch lug member is coupled to a conveying member for delivering an equipment component to or from a downhole position. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the J-latch lug member is coupled to a conveying member for transitioning a downhole equipment component between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the slot comprises an uppermost sloping profile at the open end, a lowermost sloping profile leading to the truncated slot area, and a vertical section between the uppermost and lowermost sloping profiles. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lug comprises a lug post extending outward from the mounting portion, and a plurality of rollers disposed in a bearing cage around the lug post. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 an oilfield device;   a conveying member for selectively engaging the oilfield device; and   a J-latch mechanism forming an interface between the conveying member and the oilfield device, wherein the J-latch mechanism comprises:
 a J-latch receptacle comprising a cylinder having a slot formed therein, the slot having an open end exposed at one end of the cylinder and a truncated slot area at an opposite end of the slot from the open end; and 
 a J-latch lug member comprising a mounting portion with a lug disposed thereon for removably interfacing with the slot of the J-latch receptacle, wherein the lug comprises a bearing assembly to reduce friction between the slot and the lug while selectively engaging and disengaging the J-latch lug member from the J-latch receptacle in response to movement of the conveying member relative to the oilfield device. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the J-latch receptacle is coupled to the oilfield device and the J-latch lug member is coupled to the conveying member. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the J-latch receptacle is coupled to the conveying member and the J-latch lug member is coupled to the oilfield device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the oilfield device comprises at least one piece of downhole equipment selected from the group consisting of: mechanically set packers, blowout preventer test plugs, wear bushings, liner hangers, and cement retainers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the conveying member comprises a deployment string, a pulling string, a wireline, a slickline, or coiled tubing. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 disposing a conveying member downhole;   engaging a J-latch lug member of a J-latch mechanism with a J-latch receptacle of the J-latch mechanism to engage the conveying member with an oilfield device, wherein the J-latch receptacle comprises a cylinder having a slot formed therein, the slot having an open end exposed at one end of the cylinder and a truncated slot area at an opposite end of the slot from the open end, and wherein the J-latch lug member comprises a mounting portion with a lug disposed thereon for removably interfacing with the slot of the J-latch receptacle, wherein the lug comprises a bearing assembly to reduce friction between the slot and the lug while selectively engaging and disengaging the J-latch lug member from the J-latch receptacle; and   moving the oilfield device via the J-latch mechanism in response to movement of the conveying member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 engaging the lug of the J-latch lug member with the truncated slot area of the J-latch receptacle to selectively couple the oilfield device to the conveying member;   lowering the oilfield device downhole on the conveying member; and   deploying the oilfield device downhole by disengaging the lug of the J-latch lug member from the slot of the J-latch receptacle.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 disposing the conveying member downhole at a position proximate the oilfield device;   engaging the lug of the J-latch lug member with the truncated slot area of the J-latch receptacle to selectively couple the conveying member to the oilfield device disposed downhole; and   pulling the conveying member to retrieve the oilfield device from downhole.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising transitioning an element of the oilfield device between an open position and a closed position by rotating the element based on the movement of the conveying member coupled to the oilfield device via the J-latch mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising transitioning an element of the oilfield device between an open position and a closed position by upward or downward movement of the element based on the movement of the conveying member coupled to the oilfield device via the J-latch mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising selectively coupling the conveying member to the oilfield device via the J-latch mechanism when the conveying member is coupled to a heaving floating drilling unit.