US20180266201A1

US20180266201A1 - Venturi jet basket assembly for use in a wellbore and methods for use

Info

Publication number: US20180266201A1
Application number: US15/922,416
Authority: US
Inventors: Toby Scott Baudoin
Original assignee: KLX Energy Services LLC
Current assignee: KLX Energy Services LLC
Priority date: 2017-03-20
Filing date: 2018-03-15
Publication date: 2018-09-20
Also published as: CA2998216A1

Abstract

A venturi jet basket assembly adapted to be coupled to a tubing that extends into a wellbore includes a body and a jet nozzle subassembly. The body includes a wall that defines a passageway that extends longitudinally through the body. The body also includes an opening extending through the wall and into the passageway. The wall also includes a flute formed in an outer surface of the wall of the body. The flute is in fluid communication with the opening. The jet nozzle subassembly is disposed within the passageway and includes a jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is arranged to direct fluid received through the tubing through the opening and into the flute such that the fluid is guided into the wellbore by the flute.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/473,934, filed Mar. 20, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

During the drilling, work over, or plug and abandonment of oil and gas producing wells, a variety of down hole tools or components may be attached to a pipe or coiled tubing string and utilized to perform various functions within the wellbore. One such downhole component is a venturi jet basket that can be used to retrieve debris from the wellbore. Venturi jet baskets operate using the venturi effect to siphon up debris. In such a device, a high velocity jet of fluid is directed through an opening to create a pressure drop. The pressure differential between the high velocity jet of fluid and the surrounding fluid creates a siphoning effect which pulls materials into the bore of the venturi jet basket where they can be contained within debris screens or other devices and removed from the wellbore.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein are directed to a venturi jet basket assembly adapted to be coupled to a tubing that extends into a wellbore. The venturi jet basket assembly includes a body and a jet nozzle subassembly. The body includes a wall that defines a passageway that extends longitudinally through the body. The body also includes an opening extending through the wall and into the passageway. The wall also includes a flute formed in an outer surface of the wall of the body. The flute is in fluid communication with the opening. The jet nozzle subassembly is disposed within the passageway and includes a jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is arranged to direct fluid received through the tubing through the opening and into the flute such that the fluid is guided into the wellbore by the flute.
Embodiments described herein are also directed to a venturi jet basket assembly adapted to be coupled to a tubing that extends into a wellbore. The venturi jet basket assembly includes a body and a jet nozzle subassembly. The body includes a wall that defines a passageway that extends longitudinally through the body. The body also includes an opening extending through the wall and into the passageway. The wall also includes a flute formed in an outer surface of the wall of the body. The flute is in fluid communication with the opening and extends helically about the body. The flute varies in depth along its length such that the flute is deeper at a first end that is adjacent to the opening than at an opposite second end. The jet nozzle subassembly is disposed within the passageway and includes a jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is arranged to direct fluid received through the tubing through the opening and into the flute such that the fluid is guided into the wellbore by the flute.
Embodiments described herein are also directed to a method of collecting debris in a wellbore. The method includes inserting a venturi jet basket assembly connected to a length of tubing into the wellbore. The venturi jet basket assembly includes a body and a jet nozzle subassembly. The body includes a wall that defines a passageway that extends longitudinally through the body. The body also includes an opening extending through the wall and into the passageway. The body also includes a flute formed in an outer surface of the wall of the body, the flute in fluid communication with the opening. The jet nozzle subassembly is disposed within the passageway and includes a jet nozzle. The method also includes directing fluid received by the jet nozzle from the tubing out through the opening and into the flute. The method also includes entrapping debris in a debris chamber of the venturi jet basket assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the embodiments described herein will be more fully disclosed in the following detailed description, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front side view of a venturi jet basket assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear side view of the venturi jet basket assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a jet nozzle subassembly that can be used with the venturi jet basket assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the jet nozzle subassembly of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a stem that can be coupled to the jet nozzle subassembly of FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the venturi jet basket assembly of FIG. 1, including the jet nozzle subassembly of FIG. 3 and the stem of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along a different line of the venturi jet basket assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an isometric cross-sectional view of the venturi jet basket assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7, shown assembled with further components to define a debris chamber, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the venturi jet basket assembly of FIG. 1, deployed in a wellbore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.
Embodiments described herein are directed to a venturi jet basket assembly for use in a wellbore. As described herein, the venturi jet basket assemblies include one or more flutes on an outer surface of a body of the jet basket assembly. These flutes direct fluid discharged from the venturi jet basket assembly into a wellbore to create a vortex and, thereby, cause debris and particles in the wellbore to be dislodged and swept into the jet basket assembly for removal from the wellbore.
According to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a venturi jet basket assembly 10 includes a housing or body having a wall that defines a passageway. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing includes a first body (or body portion) 12 and a second body (or body portion) 14, although it should be understood that the housing or body can include any number of sub-portions. The first body 12 and the second body 14 can be connected using any appropriate method. For example, in one embodiment, as shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first body 12 and the second body 14 are threadably connected. Alternatively, the first body 12 and the second body 14 can be bonded, welded, press-fit, or joined by any other appropriate process. Also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first body 12 has a wall 12 a that defines a passageway 12 b through the first body 12. The second body 14 has a wall 14 a that defines a passageway 14 b through the second body 14. In one embodiment, the first body 12 and the second body 14 are cylindrical. In other embodiments, the first body 12 and the second body 14 are any appropriate cross-section. The venturi jet basket assembly 10 also includes a jet nozzle subassembly 16 disposed in the passageway 12 b or the passageway 14 b. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the jet nozzle subassembly 16 includes one or more jet nozzles 18 configured to direct a high velocity stream of fluid, as will be described further herein.
The venturi jet basket assembly 10 can be coupled to a length of tubing (e.g., coil tubing) such that the venturi jet basket assembly 10 can be lowered into a wellbore. In one embodiment, the second body 14 includes internal threads 14 c (shown in FIGS. 6-8) configured to couple to the tubing. The second body 14 can be coupled directly to the tubing or, alternatively, a fitting can be used to couple the second body 14 to the tubing.
In at least one embodiment, one of the first body 12 or the second body 14 includes at least one opening extending through the wall of the body. For example, as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 6, the first body 12 includes openings 20. The openings 20 extend through wall 12 a and into the passageway 12 b. The openings 20 are aligned with the jet nozzles 18 such that fluid can be directed by the jet nozzles 18 through the openings 20.
In at least one embodiment, one of first body 12 or second body 14 includes flutes on an outer surface of the body. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first body 12 includes flutes 22 formed in an outer surface 12 c of the wall 12 a of the first body 12. The flutes 22 are in fluid communication with the openings 20 such that fluid can be directed by the jet nozzles 18 through the openings 20 and into the flutes 22 such that the fluid is guided into the wellbore by the flutes 22.
The first body 12 can have any number of flutes 22 and corresponding openings 20. In one embodiment, the first body 12 has between one and five flutes 22 and openings 20. In another embodiment, the first body 12 has between two and four flutes 22 and openings 20. In one embodiment, the first body 12 has three flutes 22 and openings 20. In another embodiment, the first body 12 has four flutes 22 and openings 20. In another embodiment, the first body 12 has five flutes 22 and openings 20.
In one embodiment, each of the flutes 22 extend helically about the first body 12. In such an embodiment, the fluid is guided along the exterior of the first body 12 by the helically arranged flutes 22 to create a vortex in the wellbore. This vortex can help to agitate the debris in the wellbore, thereby allowing the debris to be more readily swept into the passageway of the venturi jet basket 10. In addition, during operation, the venturi jet basket assembly 10 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis ‘A’ (shown in FIG. 2). This rotation further enhances the creation of the vortex. In one embodiment, the venturi jet basket assembly 10 is rotated in the same direction as the flutes 22 wrap around the body 12 (i.e., such that the second end 22 b is the leading portion of the flute 22). In another embodiment, the venturi jet basket assembly 10 is rotated in the opposite direction from the direction in which the flutes 22 wrap around the body 12 (i.e., such that the second end 22 b is the trailing portion of the flute 22). In one embodiment, each of the flutes extends more than 90° around the first body 12. In another embodiment, each of the flutes extends less than 90° around the first body 12. In another embodiment, each of the flutes extends about 90° around the first body 12.
In at least one embodiment, the flutes 22 vary along their length such that each flute 22 is deeper at a first end 22 a that is adjacent to the opening 20 than at an opposite second end 22 b. This variation in depth controls the flow of the fluid as it enters the wellbore.
The flutes 22 can be any appropriate cross-section. For example, at least a portion of the flutes 22 can have a semi-circular cross-section. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least a portion of the flutes 22 can have vertical sidewalls. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 22 c of the flutes 22 has a radius that is consistent throughout the length of the flutes 22. In one embodiment, the radius is less than the depth of the flutes 22 at the first end 22 a. Hence, as shown best in FIG. 7, at the first end 22 a the flutes 22 have side walls 22 d extending from the radiused bottom portion 22 c. As the depth of the flute 22 decreases along its length, the size of the side walls 22 d decrease until the radius of the bottom portion 22 c is greater than the depth of the flute 22. At this point, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the radiused bottom portion 22 c is directly connected with the outer surface 12 c of the wall 12 a.
In at least one embodiment, the jet nozzle subassembly 16 is coupled to a stem 26 that maintains and positions the jet nozzle subassembly 16 within the passageway 12 b of the first body 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the stem 26 includes an elongated shaft 28 extending between a first end 30 and a second end 32. The first end 30 is configured to couple to the jet nozzle subassembly 16 and the second end 32 is configured to couple to the second body 14. The first end 30 can couple to the jet nozzle subassembly 16 through any appropriate method, including a threaded connection, welding, brazing, press fit, or manufactured as a single component.
As noted above, the venturi jet basket assembly 10 can include a debris screen 24 disposed within the passageway 12 b of the first body 12. The debris screen 24 is configured to prevent the debris swept into the passageway 12 b during operation from passing into the openings 20 and back out into the wellbore. In one embodiment, the debris screen 24 is magnetic to entrap metallic debris within the wellbore. Additionally, a shoe 34 can be positioned at the distal end of the venturi jet basket 10 to interface with the wellbore. The first body 12 can include threads 12 d (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) to allow attachment of the shoe 34. The venturi jet basket assembly 10 can also include one or more catcher assemblies, such as upper catcher assembly 36 and lower catcher assembly 38 (shown in FIG. 8). The catcher assemblies 36, 38 prevent debris from dropping out of the passageway 12 b. As a result, a debris chamber 40 (shown in FIG. 8) is formed between the debris screen 24 and the catcher assemblies 36, 38. Debris is retained within the debris chamber 40 to allow removal from the wellbore.
The venturi jet basket assembly 10 can be coupled to coil tubing that is deployed in the wellbore. In use, when fluid is pumped through the coil tubing to the venturi jet basket assembly 10, the one or more jet nozzles 18 direct the fluid through a corresponding opening 20. When a high velocity, high pressure stream of fluid is directed through the jet nozzles 18, an area of low pressure is created in the opening 20. The pressure differential between this area of low pressure and higher pressures existing in the passageway 12 b causes fluid to travel from the passageway 12 b into the opening 20 and along the flutes 22. Additional wellbore fluid is drawn into the passageway 12 b by virtue of this process. Debris within the fluid is entrapped in the debris chamber 40 between the catcher assemblies 36, 38 and the debris screen 24. In this way, debris can be removed from within the wellbore.
In at least one embodiment, the debris chamber 40 spans multiple joints of tubing or pipe (not shown). In other words, the body 12 can be connected to one or more joints of tubing or pipe, with the debris screen 24 disposed within the body 12 and the catcher assemblies 36, 38 disposed in one of the connected joints of tubing or pipe. Hence, the debris chamber 40 is formed within the body 12 as well as the joints of tubing or pipe that are connected to the body 12.
After collection of debris by the venturi jet basket 10, it can be withdrawn from the wellbore, along with the length of tubing. The debris remains entrapped within the debris chamber 40 during withdrawal.
FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the venturi jet basket assembly 10 engaged with a workstring or tubing 50 and deployed in a wellbore 52 (which can be cased or uncased), such as within a production tubing 53 in the wellbore 52. Depending on the application in which the venturi jet basket assembly 10 is employed, the workstring 50 can include other downhole tools, such as cutting tools and downhole motors as examples. The depth of the tubing 50 and the venturi jet basket 10 is controlled by an appropriate deployment system 54 located at the surface 56. The depth of the venturi jet basket assembly 10 can be varied to enhance the removal of debris from the wellbore 52. In addition, as described above, the deployment system 54 can be operated to rotate the venturi jet basket assembly 10 to enhance the vortex created by the venturi jet basket assembly 10. After completion of debris removal, the tubing 50 and the venturi jet basket assembly 10 can be removed from the wellbore 52 by the deployment system 54.
In another embodiment, a method of collecting debris in a wellbore is provided. The method includes deploying a venturi jet basket assembly 10 in the wellbore. The method also includes directing fluid received by the jet nozzles 18 from the tubing out through the openings 20 and into the flutes 22. The method also includes entrapping debris in the debris chamber 40 of the venturi jet basket assembly 10. The method also includes removing the venturi jet basket assembly 10 from the wellbore. In one embodiment, the method further includes rotating the venturi jet basket assembly 10 about its longitudinal axis.
Although the devices, kits, systems, and methods have been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, they are not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the devices, kits, systems, and methods, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the devices, kits, systems, and methods.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A venturi jet basket assembly adapted to be coupled to a tubing that extends into a wellbore, the venturi jet basket assembly comprising:

a body including:

a wall that defines a passageway that extends longitudinally through the body;

an opening extending through the wall and into the passageway; and

a flute formed in an outer surface of the wall of the body, the flute in fluid communication with the opening; and

a jet nozzle subassembly disposed within the passageway and comprising a jet nozzle arranged to direct fluid received through the tubing through the opening and into the flute, wherein the fluid is guided into the wellbore by the flute.

2. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the flute extends helically about the body.

3. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the flute extends more than 90° around the body.

4. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 1, comprising a plurality of flutes formed in the outer surface of the body, each of the plurality of flutes in fluid communication with one of a plurality of openings that extends through the wall and into the passageway, and wherein the jet nozzle subassembly includes a plurality of jet nozzles, each of the plurality of jet nozzles arranged to direct fluid through one of the plurality of openings and into one of the plurality of flutes.

5. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the flute varies in depth along its length such that the flute is deeper at a first end that is adjacent to the opening than at an opposite second end.

6. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second body and a stem, the stem coupled at a first end to the jet nozzle subassembly and at a second end to the second body, wherein the stem retains the jet nozzle subassembly in position.

7. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the stem includes an elongated shaft extending between a first end and a second end, the first end configured to couple to the jet nozzle subassembly and the second end configured to couple to the body.

8. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flute has a semi-circular cross section.

9. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flute has vertical side walls.

10. A venturi jet basket assembly adapted to be coupled to a tubing that extends into a wellbore, the venturi jet basket comprising:

a body including:

a wall that defines a passageway that extends longitudinally through the body;

an opening extending through the wall and into the passageway; and

a flute formed in an outer surface of the wall of the body and in fluid communication with the opening, the flute extending helically about the body, the flute varying in depth along its length such that the flute is deeper at a first end that is adjacent to the opening than at an opposite second end; and

11. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the flute extends more than 90° around the body.

12. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 10, comprising a plurality of flutes formed in the outer surface of the body, each of the plurality of flutes in fluid communication with one of a plurality of openings that extends through the wall and into the passageway, and wherein the jet nozzle subassembly includes a plurality of jet nozzles, each of the plurality of jet nozzles arranged to direct fluid through one of the plurality of openings and into one of the plurality of flutes.

13. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising a second body and a stem, the stem coupled at a first end to the jet nozzle subassembly and at a second end to the second body, wherein the stem retains the jet nozzle subassembly in position.

14. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the stem includes an elongated shaft extending between a first end and a second end, the first end configured to couple to the jet nozzle subassembly and the second end configured to couple to the body.

15. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the flute has a semi-circular cross section.

16. The venturi jet basket assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the flute has vertical side walls.

17. A method of collecting debris in a wellbore, comprising:

deploying a venturi jet basket assembly in a wellbore, the venturi jet basket assembly comprising:

a body including:

a wall that defines a passageway that extends longitudinally through the body;

an opening extending through the wall and into the passageway;

a jet nozzle subassembly disposed within the passageway and comprising a jet nozzle;

directing fluid received by the jet nozzle from tubing out through the opening and into the flute; and

entrapping debris in a debris chamber of the venturi jet basket assembly.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the flute extends helically about the body.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising rotating the venturi jet basket assembly about its longitudinal axis in a rotational direction that is the same as the direction in which the flute helically extends about the body while directing fluid received by the jet nozzle from the tubing out through the opening and into the flute.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising rotating the venturi jet basket assembly about its longitudinal axis in a rotational direction that is opposite of the direction in which the flute helically extends about the body while directing fluid received by the jet nozzle from the tubing out through the opening and into the flute.