US 12,421,816 B2
Anchoring subassembly including a relaxation mechanism
Aihua Liang, Carrollton, TX (US)
Assigned to Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Oct. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/492,474.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/419,516, filed on Oct. 26, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0141741 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 23/01 (2006.01); E21B 7/06 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 23/01 (2013.01) [E21B 7/061 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
17. A method, comprising:
positioning a whipstock assembly including an anchoring subassembly proximate an intersection between a main wellbore and a lateral wellbore, the anchoring subassembly including:
a connector sub;
an energizer sub that is in sliding engagement with the connector sub;
a latch housing;
one or more latching features supported by the latch housing, the one or more latching features operable to move between a radially retracted state and a radially expanded state;
a spring member positioned within a space between the latch housing and the energizer sub;
a ramp member positioned within the space between the latch housing and the energized sub and between the spring member and the one or more latching features;
a relaxation mechanism coupled to the connector sub, the relaxation mechanism configured to relax to allow the one or more latching features to return toward their radially retracted state, wherein the relaxation mechanism includes a shear feature shearingly engaged between the connector sub and an external retainer; and
an internal retainer located in a space between the connector sub and the latch sub;
setting the anchoring assembly, the setting causing the one or more latch features to move from their radially retraced to state to their radially expanded state to engage with a latch coupling of a wellbore tubular; and
relaxing the relaxation mechanism after setting the anchoring assembly, the relaxing allowing the one or more latching features to return toward their radially retracted state.