Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B29/00—Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground
  • E21B29/002—Cutting, e.g. milling, a pipe with a cutter rotating along the circumference of the pipe
  • E21B29/005—Cutting, e.g. milling, a pipe with a cutter rotating along the circumference of the pipe with a radially-expansible cutter rotating inside the pipe, e.g. for cutting an annular window
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
  • E21B7/28—Enlarging drilled holes, e.g. by counterboring
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
  • E21B47/007—Measuring stresses in a pipe string or casing

Definitions

• This invention relates to apparatus for downhole cutting of tubulars in a wellbore.
• the apparatus comprises a main body designed to accommodate the linkage arms and cutter bases of Applicant's Well Bore Casing Mill, as disclosed in Applicant’s USP 9695660, along with the internal piston operating system; however, the linkage arms and cutter bases of that apparatus may be replaced with more conventional section mill (“CSM”) blades.
• the main body has a pair of longitudinal cut-outs on either side, in which the linkage arms and cutter bases operate.
• the CSM blades are rotatably mounted in the cut-outs in the main body, generally in an upper part of the main body, and rotatable from a first, substantially retracted position, to a second, substantially extended position, by the internal operating piston in response to fluid flow.
• a number of different types of CSM blades configured to cut windows in the tubulars, mill sections of the tubulars, etc. may be installed as desired. Depending upon the blade configuration, cutting in either or both of a downhole and uphole direction may be done.
• the overall tool diameter yielded by the stabilizer inserts is sized to substantially match the drift diameter of the tubular string, namely the casing string, internal diameter (ID) within which the tool is being run; that is, closely matched to the drift diameter of the tubular in which the stabilizer insert is positioned and (usually) that is being milled.
• Downhole rotation of the apparatus can be had by surface rotation of the entire drillstring, or in some instances preferably by a downhole device, namely a positive displacement motor ("PDM").
• PDM positive displacement motor
• a combination of surface rotation and downhole rotation via PDM can be used.
• a downhole turbine could be used.
• An exemplary bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) incorporating the present apparatus would include (starting at the downhole end of the BHA) a CSM dressed with blades to suit the particular job (e.g. casing cutting, milling, etc.) and with stabilizer inserts yielding an outer diameter closely matching the drift ID of the casing being milled; a jetted top sub; a float sub with a ported float; a PDM; and drill collars as appropriate, connecting to the work string on which the BHA is lowered into the wellbore.
• a CSM dressed with blades to suit the particular job e.g. casing cutting, milling, etc.
• stabilizer inserts yielding an outer diameter closely matching the drift ID of the casing being milled
• a jetted top sub e.g. a float sub with a ported float
• PDM ported float
• drill collars as appropriate, connecting to the work string on which the BHA is lowered into the wellbore.
• Fig. 1 is a schematical view of the apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention, along with other elements of a typical bottom hole assembly.
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main body of the apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention, showing more detail of the stabilizer inserts mounted in the main body, namely in the lower section of the cut-outs.
• Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the apparatus, showing the CSM blades mounted in the main body and in an outwardly extended position, in addition to the stabilizer inserts.
• Figs. 4a - 4c are various side views of the apparatus, with the blades in a retracted position.
• Figs. 4a and 4c are views rotated 90 degrees from one another.
• Fig. 4b is a side view in partial cross section of the apparatus, along section line A- A in Fig. 4c, showing the blades in a retracted position and elements of the internal operating mechanism, namely the piston. Note that the stabilizer inserts are not mounted in the main body in these views.
• Figs. 5a - 5c are various side views of the apparatus, with the blades in an extended position.
• Figs. 5a and 5c are views rotated 90 degrees from one another.
• Fig. 5b is a side view in partial cross section of the apparatus, along section line A-A in Fig. 5c, showing the blades in an extended position and elements of the internal operating mechanism, namely the piston. Note that the stabilizer inserts are not mounted in the main body in these views.
• Fig. 6 is a view of an exemplary placement of the casing section mill of the present invention in a downhole position in a casing string, showing the tool engaged with the casing and cutting and/or milling a window therein.
• Fig. 1 is a schematical view of a typical bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) comprising the casing section mill embodying the principles of the present invention. While various assemblies may be employed, depending upon the particular job, by way of example (starting at the downhole end) the BHA comprises a casing section mill (“CSM”) 10 dressed with blades 40 to suit the particular job, and with stabilizer inserts 30 to match tubular inner diameters; a jetted top sub (noted); a float sub, preferably with a ported float (noted); a positive displacement motor or PDM 100; and drill collars as appropriate, connecting to the work string. It is understood that different BHA components may be used depending on the job. Notably, in this exemplary embodiment, PDM 100 is used to generate downhole rotation of the apparatus. It is understood that surface rotation of the entire drillstring, in combination with downhole rotation via PDM 100 (or turbine), is encompassed within the invention.
• CSM casing section mill
• PDM 100 is used to generate downhole rotation of the apparatus. It
• CSM embodying the principles of the present invention generally comprises the main body and piston operating system disclosed in Applicant’s U.S. Patent No. 9695660, and the disclosure of that patent is incorporated herein by reference, to the extent needed to set out the general structure of the instant apparatus.
• Fig. 2 is a more detailed perspective view of CSM 10, showing main body 20 of the apparatus without blades 40 installed. Note the uphole/downhole directions indicated.
• Fig. 2 shows stabilizer inserts 30 mounted in the lower section of the cut-outs 22 within main body 20.
• Main body 20 has a longitudinal bore 24 in at least an upper section thereof, through which fluid is pumped.
• stabilizer inserts 30 are sized to yield an outer diameter of CSM 10 nearly equal or equal to the drift diameter of the tubular within which stabilizer inserts 30 are rotating, so as to minimize eccentric movement of the entire apparatus within the tubular.
• stabilizer inserts 30 are preferably positioned immediately below (or as close as reasonably possible) the blade location, again to assist in centralization of the overall tool.
• stabilizer inserts 30 are positioned in and rotating in a casing string which is being cut or milled by blades 40 positioned just uphole from stabilizer inserts 30.
• the diameter resulting from the stabilizer inserts 30 and the close positioning (in a downhole position) result in a very stable cutting path of blades 40, and very much increased efficiency of cutting.
• Fig. 3 is another perspective view, showing main body 20 with stabilizer inserts 30 installed, and additionally with blades 40 installed.
• blades 40 are in a second, open position.
• Figs. 4a - 4c are side views of casing section mill 10.
• Figs. 4a and 4c are exterior views rotated 90 degrees apart.
• Fig. 4b is a section view along section line A-A of Fig. 4c.
• operating mechanism 42 comprises a slidable piston 44, which moves in a downhole direction in response to fluid flow in that direction; piston 44 has a bore 43 and preferably a removable jet therein.
• blades 40 are in a first, retracted position.
• Figs. 5a - 5c are further side views of casing section mill 10, generally corresponding to the views in Figs. 4a - 4c.
• Figs. 5a and 5c are exterior views rotated 90 degrees apart.
• Fig. 5b is a section view along section line A-A of Fig. 5c. Similar to Figs. 4a - 4c, these three views show apparatus with blades 40 installed and showing some detail of operating mechanism 42.
• blades 40 are in a second, open or extended position.
• a lower end of piston 44 bears on heel portions 41 of blades 40, rotating them into their second, open or extended position.
• Casing section mill 10 is preferably formed from high strength metals and with fabrication techniques generally known in the relevant art (welding, machining, forging, etc.). Non-metal components are used as appropriate for seals, etc.
• the present apparatus may be considered as part of a system, the apparatus and its methods of use embodying the present invention.
• the scope of the present invention encompasses not only casing section mill 10 alone, but also a system comprising casing section mill 10, along with various methods of use.
• casing section mill or CSM 10 is beneficially part of a downhole tubular milling system employing PDM 100.
• Fig. 6 is a view of an exemplary setting of use of casing section mill 100.
• Casing section mill 100 is positioned at a desired location in the casing 200.
• the outer diameter of stabilizer inserts 30 closely match the inner diameter, preferably the drift diameter, of casing 200.
• Blades 40 are extended outwardly to an operating or cutting position, by fluid flow through the drillstring and bore 24 of casing section mill 10 acting on piston 44. As can be seen in Fig. 6, a section of casing has already been cut/milled out, and blades 40 are bearing on the uppermost cut end. Rotation of casing section mill 10, combined with weight imposed on the cutting surface by the bottom hole assembly, results in continued cutting. Use of a PDM to achieve downhole rotation of casing section mill 10 permits achieving a higher rotation speed of casing section mill 10, for example 100 - 200 RPM.
• a downhole rotation speed of casing section mill 10 of (for example) 60 RPM may be achieved via PDM 100, in addition to surface rotation of the entire drillstring (for example) 60 RPM, resulting in a final rotation speed of casing section mill 10 of 120 RPM.
• torque readings may be easily taken at the surface.
• the method may include the steps of: lowering a bottom hole assembly comprising casing section mill 10 and a PDM to a desired depth in a wellbore, on a drillstring; commencing fluid flow through the drillstring, the PDM, and casing section mill 10, thereby moving blades 40 outwardly into contact with the casing wall or a previously cut surface, in order to continue milling, and resulting in rotation of casing section mill 10; alternatively, if desired, commencing rotation of the drillstring from the surface; monitoring string weight, weight on the tool downhole, and torque at the surface, in order to monitor and optimize the milling function.
• blades 40 may be used, depending on the particular tubular
• blades can be used which comprise multiple hardened inserts, for both cutting an initial window in a casing string, and for milling a section of the casing string
• both blades 40 and stabilizer inserts 30 may be removed from a given main body 20, and that same main body 20 may be“dressed” or equipped with linkage arms, cutter bases and cutters, as disclosed in Applicant’s USP 9695660; this versatility is a significant benefit of the system
• ⁇ blades 40 can be configured to enable cutting/milling in both a downhole and an uphole direction, with uphole milling enabled with sufficient downward force applied to piston 44.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Geophysics (AREA)
• Milling Processes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2019
  • 2019-02-20 EP EP19757323.1A patent/EP3755865A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2019-02-20 AU AU2019223074A patent/AU2019223074A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2019-02-20 CA CA3091938A patent/CA3091938A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2019-02-20 US US16/971,009 patent/US20200399969A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2019-02-20 WO PCT/US2019/018695 patent/WO2019164889A1/en unknown

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