US20140374100A1 - Punching tool - Google Patents

Punching tool Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140374100A1
US20140374100A1 US14/344,473 US201214344473A US2014374100A1 US 20140374100 A1 US20140374100 A1 US 20140374100A1 US 201214344473 A US201214344473 A US 201214344473A US 2014374100 A1 US2014374100 A1 US 2014374100A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
hydraulically activated
casing
punch
activated punch
punching
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US14/344,473
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English (en)
Inventor
Jorgen Hallundbaek
Rasmus Sommer
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Welltec AS
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Welltec AS
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Assigned to WELLTEC A/S reassignment WELLTEC A/S ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HALLUNDBAEK, JORGEN
Assigned to WELLTEC A/S reassignment WELLTEC A/S ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SOMMER, RASMUS
Publication of US20140374100A1 publication Critical patent/US20140374100A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
    • E21B43/112—Perforators with extendable perforating members, e.g. actuated by fluid means
    • 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
    • E21B29/08—Cutting or deforming pipes to control fluid flow

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a punching tool for providing a hole or a dimple in a metal casing in a borehole.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for providing a hole or a dimple in a metal casing downhole and to a method for installing a plug in an existing hole in the casing downhole.
  • the casing When producing hydrocarbons from a well, the casing is most often perforated by means of detonations to provide holes in the casing for letting the formation fluid into the casing.
  • detonations for perforating is risky, and there is therefore an increasing demand for alternative methods for making such holes.
  • Perforations or holes in a casing may be used for various purposes, such as for injection purposes, for insertion of completion elements, e.g. valves after making the completion, or for allowing fluid to flow from the formation into the casing. There is thus a need for an apparatus and a method for providing perforations or holes without using detonation of charges.
  • a hole or perforations are to be used for injection purposes, e.g. for providing an annular seal in an annulus
  • determination of the exact position of the hole in relation to an injection apparatus is a difficult task. If the exact position cannot be established, a large section of the casing has to be sealed off to perform the injection.
  • one applied solution is to provide a seal downhole well below the injection hole and simply pressurise the entire well down to the seal to inject the fluid. Such an operation is cumbersome and requires a great amount of injection fluid, making it a cost-intensive operation.
  • a punching tool for providing a hole or a dimple in a metal casing in a borehole comprising:
  • a punching unit connected with the tool body comprising:
  • hydraulically activated punch is moved into the projected position by injecting a fluid into the bore through the fluid inlet.
  • the punching tool described above may further comprise two isolation devices circumferenting the tool body and arranged spaced apart in the axial extension on opposite sides of the punching unit, the isolation devices being expandable from the tool body in a radial direction, thereby providing zonal isolation of a section of the casing downhole, wherein the punching tool further comprises one or more injection nozzles for injecting a fluid into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices, the injection nozzle being arranged between the isolation devices.
  • a fluid may be injected into the section inside the casing isolated by the isolation devices to inflate an annular barrier arranged in fluid communication with the isolated section via the punched hole.
  • the punching tool may thus be used for providing a hole in the casing downhole and subsequently for injecting a fluid though the hole.
  • the punching tool may also be used for other injection purposes, such as for inflating a packer, for stimulating the pressure in inflatable packers or other types of annular barriers, for acid treatment of a formation outside a casing or for fracking purposes.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may have a punching edge for providing a hole in a metal casing.
  • the punching tool described above may further comprise a pump arranged in association with the tool body, the pump being connected to the fluid inlet for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the bore to move the hydraulically activated punch into the projected position.
  • the isolation devices may be constituted by inflatable packers being inflated and expanded from the tool body by the pump supplying a fluid to the inflatable packers.
  • isolation devices may be inflatable packers, swellable packers, compression or cup packers, other downhole packers, retrieval packers or combinations thereof.
  • the pump may be in fluid communication with the one or more injection nozzles, and the pump may be adapted to inject a fluid into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices through the one or more injection nozzles.
  • the punching tool described above may further comprise an inlet fluidly connecting the pump with an annulus surrounding the punching tool, wherein the pump is adapted to draw fluid from the annulus and inject the fluid from the annulus through the one or more injection nozzles into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices.
  • the punching unit may comprise an abutment arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch around the tool body.
  • part of the hydraulically activated punch may engage part of the abutment to control the radial movement between the retracted and the projected position of the hydraulically activated punch.
  • one of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment may comprise one or more radially extending guide elements
  • the other of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment may comprise one or more radially extending tracks being adapted to engage with the guide elements to control the radial movement between the retracted and the projected position of the hydraulically activated punch.
  • hydraulically activated punch and the abutment may define an expandable space.
  • the punching unit may further comprise a piston and a spring which is compressed when the hydraulically activated punch is moved into the projected position.
  • hydraulically activated punch and the abutment may be arranged in a through-bore in the tool body.
  • sealing means may be arranged in grooves in the through-bore of the tool body to seal against the hydraulically activated punch, and/or the abutment may be arranged in the through-bore.
  • Such sealing means may be arranged in grooves in the hydraulically activated punch, the punch base part and/or the abutment to seal against the through-bore and the tool body.
  • the tool may comprise a plurality of punching units.
  • the tool may comprise a plurality of punching units and a plurality of abutments.
  • the piston may be movable in a hollow space defined by the hydraulically activated punch or a base part of the hydraulically activated punch, and the piston may be connected with the abutment through a piston rod.
  • the piston may be movable in a hollow space defined by the abutment, and the piston may be connected with the hydraulically activated punch through a piston rod.
  • one of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment may be connected with the piston through a piston rod, and the other of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment may have an end arranged inside the tool body, the end comprising a flange, and a spring may be arranged between the piston and the flange.
  • a stop element may be arranged in connection with the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment to avoid separation of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment.
  • the abutment may be fixedly connected with the tool body.
  • the abutment may project radially from the tool body.
  • the stop element may be arranged in connection with the fluid inlet.
  • the fluid inlet may be connected with one or more fluid channels being in fluid communication with a pressure side of the piston.
  • a distance between the retracted and a projected position of the punch may be 3 mm, preferably above 10 mm, most preferably above 20 mm, and more preferably above 100 mm.
  • the punch may comprise a pointed surface adapted to rupture the metal casing during the movement of the hydraulically activated punch from the retracted to the projected position.
  • the abutment may comprise a “curved” (convex) face which is adapted to abut an inner surface of a tubular metal casing during the punching.
  • the abutment may comprise attachment elements so that the face of the abutment can be changed in relation to the inner surface of the metal casing.
  • the tool may comprise an electrical motor driving the pump.
  • the tool may comprise a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid for being injected into the bore to move the hydraulically activated punch into the projected position, a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid for being injected into the inflatable packers to inflate and expand the inflatable packers from the tool body, and/or a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid for being injected into the isolated section of the casing through the one or more injection nozzles.
  • the fluid reservoir may be one common fluid reservoir.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be a punch adapted to provide a dimple in a metal casing.
  • hydraulically activated punch may be a punch having rounded edges.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be a pin punch, a centre punch, a taper punch, a flat chisel, a cape chisel, a half-round nose chisel or a combination thereof.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be a punch adapted to install a plug in an existing hole in the casing downhole to seal the existing hole.
  • annular barrier or packer if an annular barrier or packer bursts, an inlet to such annular barrier or packer may be sealed off to avoid fluid from flowing from the casing and into the formation through the defect annular barrier or packer.
  • the remaining annular barriers or packers may still be inflated by pressurising the well from the top or by pressurising a section of the well containing the defect annular barrier or packer.
  • the punch may have a cavity in which the plug can be arranged.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be further adapted to hold on to the plug prior to installing the plug in the existing hole, to place the plug in the existing hole when the hydraulically activated punch is moved into a projected position, and to deform the plug when the hydraulically activated punch is moved into a fully projected position.
  • the cavity of the punch may have a circumferential projection or a plurality of projections matching a circumferential groove in the plug.
  • the plug By having a projection matching the groove of the plug, the plug can be held in place before being inserted, and when the hole has been plugged, the plug is secured in the hole so that the force securing the plug in the hole is greater than a force enabling detachment of the plug from the punch. The plug is thus easily detached from the punch when the plug has been punched in the hole.
  • the present invention furthermore relates to a method for providing a hole or a dimple in a metal casing downhole, comprising the steps of:
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be moved radially to provide a hole in the metal casing, the method further comprising the steps of expanding the isolation devices from the tool body in a radial direction, thereby providing zonal isolation of a section of the casing downhole, and injecting a fluid into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices, thereby forcing a fluid through the hole provided in the casing.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be moved radially to provide a dimple in the metal casing, the method further comprising the step of arranging an electronic device in the dimple or hole, the electronic device comprising a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, a radio-frequency tag (RFT) and/or one or more sensors, such as a temperature sensor.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • RFT radio-frequency tag
  • the present invention relates to a method for installing a plug, such as a Lee-plug, in an existing hole in the casing downhole, the method comprising the steps of:
  • part of the plug may be plastically deformed.
  • FIG. 1 shows a punching tool in a casing
  • FIG. 2 shows a partly cross-sectional view of the punching tool
  • FIG. 3 shows a partly cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the punching tool
  • FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the punching tool in a casing
  • FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the punching tool in a casing
  • FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the punching tool in a casing
  • FIG. 7 shows a partly cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the punching tool along the axial extension of the tool
  • FIG. 8 shows a partly cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the punching tool along a radial extension of the tool perpendicular to the axial extension of the tool
  • FIG. 9 shows a partly cross-sectional view of a punching tool for providing a dimple in a casing downhole
  • FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a casing in which an electronic device has been secured in a dimple
  • FIG. 11 shows a partly cross-sectional view of the punching tool comprising isolation devices for providing zonal isolation of a section of the casing
  • FIG. 12 shows a partly cross-sectional view of the punching tool comprising an injection nozzle for injecting a fluid into the isolated section of the casing, and
  • FIG. 13 shows a partly cross-sectional view of a punching tool comprising a hydraulically activated punch adapted to install a plug in an existing hole in a casing downhole.
  • FIG. 1 shows a punching tool 1 having just punched a hole 2 a in a casing 3 in a borehole 4 .
  • the punching tool 1 comprises a tool body 5 having an axial extension 6 , a punching unit 11 comprising a bore 27 a provided in the tool body, and a hydraulically activated punch 9 which is movable between a retracted and a projected position to be able to punch out a piece 12 of a wall 13 of the casing 3 or to provide a dimple in a wall 13 of the casing 3 .
  • the hydraulically activated punch may also be used for applying a force to an object, such as a plug, downhole, e.g. to plug a hole in the casing.
  • the hydraulically activated punch 9 is arranged in a bore 27 a extending in a direction substantially radial in relation to the axial extension of the tool body, and a fluid inlet 26 in fluid communication with the bore is provided to enable injection of a fluid into the bore to activate the hydraulically activated punch.
  • the punching unit further comprises an abutment 10 arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch around the tool body to abut the wall of the casing so that the force generated by injection of the fluid into the bore is applied to the hydraulically activated punch and exploited to move the hydraulically activated punch in the radial direction.
  • the abutment is fixedly connected with the tool body.
  • the punching tool further comprises two isolation devices 70 for providing zonal isolation of a section 75 of the casing and a plurality of injection nozzles 80 for injecting a fluid into the isolated section of the casing, as shown in FIGS. 11-12 .
  • the isolation devices 70 circumferent the tool body and are positioned along the tool body on opposite sides of the punching unit, and are expandable from the tool body in a radial direction. When the isolation devices 70 are expanded, they isolate a section 75 of the casing, thereby providing zonal isolation.
  • the isolation devices 70 may be constituted by inflatable packers, swellable packers, compression or cup packers, other downhole packers, retrieval packers, combinations thereof or any other means known to the skilled person for providing a seal between the inner wall of the casing and the tool body.
  • the injection nozzles 80 are arranged between the isolation devices 70 , allowing a fluid to be injected into the isolated section 75 of the casing through the injection nozzles.
  • the punching tool 1 is submerged into the well and is powered through a wireline 14 and connected with the tool through a cable head 15 .
  • the punching tool 1 comprises a motor 17 connected with the cable head 15 through an electronic section 16 and a pump 18 driven by the motor, which pump supplies a fluid under pressure to the bore 27 a via the fluid inlet 26 to activate the hydraulically activated punch 9 .
  • the pump is further in fluid communication with the isolation devices 70 constituted by inflatable packers. Accordingly, the inflatable packers are inflated and expanded from the tool body by the pump supplying a fluid to the inflatable packers.
  • the pump is in fluid communication with the injection nozzle 80 via a conduit 83 extending in the axial extension of the punching tool, as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 11 .
  • the pump is further fluidly connected to an inlet 81 provided in the punching tool, whereby fluid may be drawn in by the pump from an annulus 82 surrounding the punching tool.
  • the fluid drawn in from the annulus may subsequently be supplied to the injections nozzles 80 via the conduit 83 and injected into the isolated section of the casing.
  • a hole 2 a is provided in the wall of the isolated section of the casing and fluid is continuously injected into that section, the fluid in the section will be displaced through the hole 2 a, as shown in FIG. 12 .
  • the hole 2 a, 2 c may be an existing hole 2 c or a hole 2 a provided by the punching tool, and the casing may also have a plurality of holes through which the fluid can be injected.
  • the hydraulically activated punch 9 defines a hollow space 19 a in which a piston 20 is arranged, enabling the hydraulically activated punch 9 to move from its retracted position to its projected position, thus functioning as a hydraulic punch cylinder.
  • the hydraulically activated punch 9 moves inside an expandable space 31 primarily defined by the bore 27 a.
  • the hydraulically activated punch 9 has a punching edge 21 a for providing a hole in a metal casing, and in the opposite end, a flange 22 extending towards a piston rod 23 of the piston is provided. Between the flange 22 and the piston, a spring 24 is arranged which is compressed when the hydraulically activated punch is in its projected position.
  • the end of the hydraulically activated punch extending from the tool body may alternatively be adapted to provide a dimple in a metal casing, as illustrated in FIG. 9 .
  • the hydraulically activated punch for providing a dimple in the metal casing may have a shape substantially similar to that of a pin punch, a centre punch, a taper punch, a flat chisel, a cape chisel, a half-round nose chisel, a combination thereof, or any other shape for providing a dimple known to the skilled person.
  • the hydraulically activated punch is adapted to install a plug 61 in an existing hole 2 c in the casing, as shown in FIG. 13 .
  • the hydraulically activated punch is adapted to hold on to the plug prior to installation and to place the plug in the existing hole by moving the hydraulically activated punch into a projected position. After having placed the plug in the hole 2 c, the plug may be deformed by further moving the hydraulically activated punch into a fully projected position, whereby the plug is secured in the hole and the hole is sealed.
  • the plug may be any kind of plug suitable for sealing a hole in a casing downhole, such as a plug sold under the trade name Lee Plug by The Lee Company. What is special about the Lee Plug is that only a radial force is required to install the plug, and such a plug may thus be installed by the punching tool according to the present invention.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be moved further radially from the tool body in an even further projected position, forcing the plug further outwards and deforming the casing wall so that the plug does not diminish the inner diameter of the casing. In this way, the plug plugs the hole and is used to provide a dimple in the casing wall.
  • the pump 18 illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 2 provides fluid through fluid channels 25 into the expandable space 31 through inlets 26 in order to force the hydraulically activated punch radially outwards from the tool body 5 .
  • the pump stops pumping fluid into the expandable space 31 , and the fluid is forced back into the fluid channel 25 by the decompressing force of the spring 24 .
  • Sealing means 28 is arranged in grooves 29 in the bore 27 a of the tool body to seal against the hydraulically activated punch 9 .
  • the punching force can be substantially increased compared to prior art mechanically operated solutions. Furthermore, tests have shown that the hole in the casing can be made with a higher degree of accuracy and that this cut is cleaner, leaving almost no burrs on the edges. The prior art solutions leave substantial burrs on the edges, hindering the insertion of a valve in the hole in a subsequent process. If the hole is made to open the casing to an inflow of well fluid, such as hydrocarbons, also called oil and/or gas, the burrs hinder an optimal inflow, causing a more turbulent flow before the hole at the burring side.
  • well fluid such as hydrocarbons, also called oil and/or gas
  • the abutment 10 projects radially from the tool body 5 , and it is therefore slideably arranged in a second bore 32 provided in the tool body.
  • the abutment 10 is activated by injecting a fluid into the second bore 32 , whereby the abutment 10 moves radially in relation to the axial extension.
  • the abutment has a hollow space 33 in which a second piston 34 moves, thereby compressing a second spring 35 between the piston and a second flange 36 provided in one end of the abutment opposite an outer face of the abutment abutting the inner wall of the casing.
  • the fluid is injected into the second bore 32 by the pump pumping a fluid into the expandable space 38 via second fluid channels 37 and through second inlets 39 .
  • One pump may thus supply fluid to move both the hydraulically activated punch 9 and the abutment 10 , and the fluid channels 25 , 37 supplying fluid to the hydraulically activated punch 9 and the abutment 10 may be one channel.
  • the punching tool 1 may comprise several punching units 11 punching holes in the casing in a predetermined pattern, as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the punching tool can be used instead of a perforation gun, thereby avoiding the risky detonations downhole.
  • the punching tool 1 comprises second punching units 11 b also arranged circumferentially opposite the first punching units 7 around the tool body 5 .
  • the second punching units have the same design as the first punching units 7 and function as abutments in relation to the first punching units 7 .
  • the first punching units function as abutments to the second punching units 11 b.
  • the punching units shown in FIG. 5 are arranged with an angular spacing of 180°.
  • the punching tool 1 may further comprise third punching units 11 c and fourth punching units (not shown) arranged opposite each other and between the first and second punching units.
  • the third and fourth punching units have a design similar to that of the previously described punching units and function as abutments in relation to one another.
  • Each of the punching units is thus arranged with an angular displacement of 90° along the circumference of the punching tool.
  • the third and fourth punching units are displaced in an axial direction of the punching tool in relation to the first and second punching units.
  • the punching tool shown in FIG. 5 thus comprises 10 punching units spaced apart to optimise the tool length, and all the punching units may be supplied with fluid from the same pump through the same channel or through several channels.
  • the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment are arranged in a through-bore 27 b.
  • the abutment 10 and the hydraulically activated punch 9 engage one another, forming two common fluidly connected expandable spaces 31 .
  • the radial movement of the abutment and the hydraulically activated punch thus occurs by the abutment and the hydraulically activated punch moving radially away from each other.
  • a piston 20 provided on a piston rod 23 is arranged in each of the expandable spaces 31 , and the piston rods 23 are connected with the abutment 10 by screws 41 .
  • the hydraulically activated punch 9 is connected with a punch base part 42 defining part of each of the expandable spaces 31 , and the punch base part 42 is again threadedly connected with two inserts 40 .
  • the pistons are movable within each of the expandable spaces 31 .
  • the inserts 40 each have a flange 22 which together with the piston compresses a spring 24 when the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment are projected from the tool body.
  • the hydraulically activated punch 9 and the abutment 10 are forced away from each other by means of fluid pumped into the expandable space 31 through fluid channels 25 and is led into the expandable space through a circumferential groove 43 leading the fluid in through the inlet 26 and into a cylinder bore 44 .
  • Sealing means 28 are arranged in grooves 29 in the through-bore 27 b in which the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment are arranged, preventing the fluid from escaping into the annulus 82 surrounding the tool.
  • a hollow rod 45 functioning as a stop element is arranged penetrating both the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment. Both comprise an elongated opening allowing the hydraulically activated punch 9 and the abutment 10 to move in relation to the rod and each other.
  • the rod is hollow to be able to lead the fluid and has openings for the fluid to enter, thus leading the fluid into the expandable space 31 .
  • the fluid inlet 26 is thus positioned in the centre of the punching unit.
  • the punching unit 11 is rotated 90 degrees compared to the punching unit shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the punching unit shown in FIG. 8 has substantially the same design as the punching unit of FIG. 7 .
  • the punching unit has a fluid channel 46 in the punch base part 42 to lead the fluid from the hollow rod 45 to one end of each of the expandable spaces 31 so that the fluid is injected into the expandable spaces acting directly on the pistons.
  • the initial movement of the hydraulically activated punch 9 and the abutment 10 requires less fluid power.
  • part of the hydraulically activated punch 9 engages part of the abutment 10 to control the radial movement between the retracted and the projected position of the hydraulically activated punch 9 .
  • the abutment 10 has radially extending guide elements 50 engaging radially extending tracks 51 of the hydraulically activated punch 9 .
  • the hydraulically activated punch 9 engages the abutment 10 on an outside thereof or vice versa so as to control the radial movement between the retracted and the projected position of the hydraulically activated punch 9 .
  • the sealing means 28 are arranged in grooves in the punch base part 42 and in the abutment to seal against the through-bore 27 b and the tool body 5 .
  • the punching tool 1 is designed so that the distance between the retracted and the projected position of the hydraulically activated punch is above 5 mm, preferably above 10 mm, more preferably above 20 mm, and most preferably above 50 mm. However, this depends on the completion and the restrictions already present in the completion.
  • the punching tool may be used to punch only a small hole having a diameter smaller than that of the hydraulically activated punch, and thus, the hole is made by the tip of the hydraulically activated punch.
  • it may be necessary to make small relief holes and even pump gas down through the outer casing in through the inner casing to force the fluid upwards.
  • Such relief holes may also be necessary to even out the pressure between the casing and the annulus.
  • the piece of the casing is not separate from the rest of the casing and does not flow freely in the annulus.
  • the punching tool may have several abutments and one hydraulically activated punch, all of which are hydraulically activated so that the abutments are positioned on both sides of the hydraulically activated punch and are projected radially until the hydraulically activated punch presses against the inner wall of the casing. Subsequently, the hydraulically activated punch is activated and cuts its way into the casing wall without having to travel a certain length before reaching the inner casing wall. In this way, the hydraulically activated punch is capable of penetrating thicker casings than if it had to travel a certain length before reaching the inner casing wall.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be any kind of punch, e.g. a punch comprising a pointed surface adapted to rupture the metal casing during the movement of the hydraulically activated punch from the retracted to the projected position.
  • the abutment has a curved and convex face which is adapted to abut an inner surface of a tubular metal casing during the punching.
  • the abutment may comprise attachment elements so that the face of the abutment can be changed in relation to the inner surface of the metal casing.
  • the abutment face may then change to a teethed surface or a similar design to better be able to fasten the tool while punching the hole.
  • the pump of the tool takes fluid in from the well through a filter, but the tool may instead comprise a fluid reservoir, or the fluid may be led from the surface through the wireline which is thus also a supply line.
  • the punching tool comprises a hydraulically activated punch 9 for providing a dimple 2 b in the casing downhole.
  • the abutment 10 arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch is positioned so that it abuts the casing.
  • the hydraulically activated punch is moved radially from the retracted position to the projected position so that a dimple is provided in the metal casing.
  • the electronic device may have various functionalities and may comprise a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, a radio-frequency tag (RFT), and/or one or more sensors, such as a temperature sensor.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • RFT radio-frequency tag
  • the punching tool comprises a hydraulically activated punch 9 for providing a hole 2 a in the casing downhole.
  • the abutment 10 arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch is positioned so that it abuts the casing.
  • the isolation devices 70 are also expanded from the tool body, thereby sealing off a section 75 of the casing.
  • the hydraulically activated punch is moved radially from the retracted position to the projected position so that a hole 2 a is provided in the metal casing.
  • the isolation devices 70 may also be expanded when the hole has been punched in the casing to seal off the section 75 of the casing.
  • a fluid is injected into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices, as shown in FIG. 12 .
  • the punching tool may thus be used for expanding the annular barrier or stimulating the pressure in the annular barrier, e.g. to expand the annular barrier even further.
  • the punching tool may also be used for other injection purposes envisaged by the skilled person, such for inflating inflatable packers or other types of annular barriers, for flushing the annulus after insertion of the casing, for acid treatment of a formation outside a casing or for fracking purposes.
  • the punching tool comprises a hydraulically activated punch 9 for installing a plug 61 in an existing hole 2 c in the casing.
  • This functionality may be relevant if an annular barrier forming part of a series of annular barriers is defect.
  • An annular barrier may be defect if for example the annular barrier have burst during inflation as shown in FIG. 13 , or if the annular barrier is leaking for other reasons, and fluid injected into the well to inflate the series of annular barriers will thus flow through the defect annular barrier into the formation.
  • the series of annular barriers cannot be inflated as the required pressure cannot be reached by pressurising the well from the top or by pressurising a section of the well containing the defect annular barrier.
  • the defect annular barrier is sealed off and the remaining annular barriers may still be inflated.
  • the casing in the vicinity of the annular barrier and the punching tool may be provided with associated marker tags 91 and marker tag identifications means 92 .
  • the marker tag 91 may be arranged on the casing and the marker tag identification means 92 may be arranged on the punching tool, or the other way around.
  • the marker tag 91 may be a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, a radio-frequency tag (RFT) or any other device adapted to send or receive a signal known to the skilled person, and the marker tag identification means 92 may be any kind of sensor or receiver known to the skilled person for detecting the position of the marker tag 91 in relation to the punching tool.
  • the marker tag 91 and the marker tag identification means 92 may be replaced by mechanical positioning means, whereby the punching tool may latch onto the casing to ensure the correct position of the punching tool in relation to the existing hole 2 c.
  • the abutment 10 arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch is positioned so that it abuts the casing. Subsequently, the hydraulically activated punch is moved radially from the retracted position to the projected position so that the plug is placed in the hole and the hole is sealed.
  • the installation of the plug may require that a further radial force is applied to the plug, e.g. to plastically deform part of the plug.
  • the hydraulically activated punch may be moved to a fully projected position, thereby deforming the plug.
  • the defect annular barrier After having installed the plug in the existing hole 2 c constituting the inlet to the defect annular barrier, the defect annular barrier is sealed off.
  • the well may once again be pressurised to inflate the remaining annular barriers as the injected fluid does not escape through the defect annular barrier.
  • the punching tool may comprise multiple punching units, wherein one or more punching units comprises a hydraulically activated punch adapted to provide a hole in the casing and one or more other punching units comprises a hydraulic activated punch adapted to install a plug.
  • the punching tool may thus install a plug in an existing hole to seal off that hole as described above and provide a new hole adjacent to the hole sealed off.
  • the punching tool may provide a new hole, enlarge an existing hole or trim a fracture in order to allow installation of a plug to seal off the existing hole or fracture.
  • fluid or well fluid any kind of fluid that may be present in oil or gas wells downhole, such as natural gas, oil, oil mud, crude oil, water, etc.
  • gas is meant any kind of gas composition present in a well, completion, or open hole
  • oil is meant any kind of oil composition, such as crude oil, an oil-containing fluid, etc.
  • Gas, oil, and water fluids may thus all comprise other elements or substances than gas, oil, and/or water, respectively.
  • a casing any kind of pipe, tubing, tubular, liner, string etc. used downhole in relation to oil or natural gas production.
  • a downhole tractor can be used to push the tools all the way into position in the well.
  • a downhole tractor is any kind of driving tool capable of pushing or pulling tools in a well downhole, such as a Well Tractor®.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (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)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
US14/344,473 2011-09-30 2012-09-27 Punching tool Abandoned US20140374100A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11183494A EP2574721A1 (fr) 2011-09-30 2011-09-30 Outil de poinçonnage
EP11183494.1 2011-09-30
PCT/EP2012/069084 WO2013045550A1 (fr) 2011-09-30 2012-09-27 Outil de poinçonnage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20140374100A1 true US20140374100A1 (en) 2014-12-25

Family

ID=46924462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/344,473 Abandoned US20140374100A1 (en) 2011-09-30 2012-09-27 Punching tool

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20140374100A1 (fr)
EP (2) EP2574721A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN103797212A (fr)
AU (1) AU2012314450A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112014005115A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2848818A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2014003023A (fr)
RU (1) RU2014114427A (fr)
WO (1) WO2013045550A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

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US20150090454A1 (en) * 2013-09-30 2015-04-02 Marie Pasvandi Hydromecanical piercing perforator and method of operation thereof
US10018011B2 (en) * 2012-10-16 2018-07-10 Maersk Olie Og Gas A/S Sealing apparatus and method
US10287860B2 (en) * 2013-11-14 2019-05-14 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Downhole mechanical tubing perforator
WO2019224675A1 (fr) * 2018-05-25 2019-11-28 Aarbakke Innovation, As Procédé de modification de dispositifs installés de régulation d'écoulement de puits de forage
EP3663509A1 (fr) * 2018-12-06 2020-06-10 Welltec A/S Outil de fond de trou comportant une longue rallonge en saillie
AU2020276667B2 (en) * 2019-05-15 2023-08-24 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Punch and inject tool for downhole casing and method for use thereof
US12084935B2 (en) * 2022-12-07 2024-09-10 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Mechanical autonomous punch and cut system

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EP2818630A1 (fr) * 2013-06-26 2014-12-31 Welltec A/S Système d'ascension par poussée de gaz et procédé de poussée de gaz
BR112017017663B1 (pt) * 2015-03-03 2022-10-25 Welltec A/S Ferramenta de acesso a fundo de poço, sistema de fundo de poço e uso de uma ferramenta de acesso a fundo de poço
EP3464789B1 (fr) 2016-06-07 2021-04-28 Welltec A/S Outil opérationnel de fond de puits
WO2024110292A1 (fr) * 2022-11-22 2024-05-30 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Procédé d'installation d'un capteur de fond de trou permanent

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US7073394B2 (en) * 2004-04-05 2006-07-11 Rosemount Inc. Scalable averaging insertion vortex flow meter
US8079415B2 (en) * 2005-12-30 2011-12-20 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Wellbore intervention tool
US20090194277A1 (en) * 2008-01-31 2009-08-06 Red Spider Technology Limited Single trip tubing punch and setting tool

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10018011B2 (en) * 2012-10-16 2018-07-10 Maersk Olie Og Gas A/S Sealing apparatus and method
US20150090454A1 (en) * 2013-09-30 2015-04-02 Marie Pasvandi Hydromecanical piercing perforator and method of operation thereof
US9394768B2 (en) * 2013-09-30 2016-07-19 Passerby Inc. Hydromecanical piercing perforator and method of operation thereof
US10287860B2 (en) * 2013-11-14 2019-05-14 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Downhole mechanical tubing perforator
US11428062B2 (en) * 2018-05-25 2022-08-30 Aarbakke Innovation, As Method for modifying installed wellbore flow control devices
WO2019224675A1 (fr) * 2018-05-25 2019-11-28 Aarbakke Innovation, As Procédé de modification de dispositifs installés de régulation d'écoulement de puits de forage
EP3663509A1 (fr) * 2018-12-06 2020-06-10 Welltec A/S Outil de fond de trou comportant une longue rallonge en saillie
WO2020115187A1 (fr) * 2018-12-06 2020-06-11 Welltec A/S Outil de fond de trou ayant une extension à projection longue
US11098544B2 (en) 2018-12-06 2021-08-24 Welltec A/S Downhole tool with long projecting extension
AU2019394726B2 (en) * 2018-12-06 2022-06-09 Welltec A/S Downhole tool with a long projecting extension
AU2020276667B2 (en) * 2019-05-15 2023-08-24 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Punch and inject tool for downhole casing and method for use thereof
US11851976B2 (en) 2019-05-15 2023-12-26 Shell Usa, Inc. Punch and inject tool for downhole casing and method for use thereof
US12084935B2 (en) * 2022-12-07 2024-09-10 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Mechanical autonomous punch and cut system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2014003023A (es) 2014-05-28
EP2761128A1 (fr) 2014-08-06
AU2012314450A1 (en) 2014-05-22
CN103797212A (zh) 2014-05-14
BR112014005115A2 (pt) 2017-04-18
CA2848818A1 (fr) 2013-04-04
WO2013045550A1 (fr) 2013-04-04
RU2014114427A (ru) 2015-11-10
EP2574721A1 (fr) 2013-04-03

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