US3168141A

US3168141A - Orienting means for perforating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3168141A
Application number: US816993A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maurice P Lebourg
Original assignee: Schlumberger Well Surveying Corp
Current assignee: Schlumberger Well Surveying Corp
Priority date: 1959-05-29
Filing date: 1959-05-29
Publication date: 1965-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 1982-02-02

Description

Feb. 2, 1965 M. P. LEBOURG 3,168,141

ORIENTING MEANS FOR FERFORATING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \s 4 46 v V MUf/CE Zebu/x 97 ATTOR/Vf) United States Patent Ofifice 3,168,141

3,168,141 ORIENTING MEANS FOR PERFORATING APPARATUS Maurice P. Lebourg', Houston, Tex-.-, assignor to Schlurnberger Well Surveying Corporation, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed May 29, 1959, Ser. No. 816,993 19 Claims. (Cl. 16655.1)

This invention relates to perforating apparatus for use in oil well completion operations and, more particularly, pertains to means for orienting a perforating apparatus in a borehole wherein the orienting means also serves to prevent premature firing of the perforating apparatus until the perforating apparatus is properly oriented.

In a well completion technique wherein more than one string of production tubing is in a cased borehole, it is often desirable to perforate the casing at a given level without damage to a tubing string that extends adjacent to and beyond the zone to be perforated. It is therefore necessary to orient the perforating apparatus so that a given plane of firing does not intersect the adjacent section of the tubing and thereby damage it. Additionally, it is desirable to prevent premature firing of the perforating apparatus while it is passing through a tubing string yet permitting the apparatus to be fired at a given location in the borehole.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 760,138, filed September 10, 1958, for Orienting Means for Perforating Apparatus, now abandoned.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved orienting device for use with perforating apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved orienting device which will prevent premature firing of a perforating apparatus yet permit firing at a selected location in a production tubing.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved orienting device which will orient a plane of firing and prevent premature firing of a perforating apparatus until proper orientation of the perforating apparatus has been accomplished.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved orienting device for use with a perforating apparatus in dual well completion wherein the apparatus may be passed through a first string of production tubing and prevented from premature firing therein and subsequently oriented adjacent to a second string of production tubing, the orientation permitting firing of the perforating apparatus without perforation of the second tubing string.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a perforating apparatus having an orienting device with orienting means held in a retracted condition during passage through a first production tubing while effectively disconnecting the electrical firing circuit to the perforating apparatus. The first production tubing is provided with an enlarged orienting pocket so that the orienting means may expand into the pocket. This movement of the orienting means completes the electrical continuity of the firing circuit at the same time the perforating apparatus is oriented in such a manner that the firing plane does not intersect a second production tubing passing adjacent to the zone to be perforated.

In another aspect of the present invention, means are provided to lock the orienting means in an expanded position.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner Patented Feb. 2, 1965 of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by way of illustration and example of certain embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational View of a tool embodying the present invention shown together with associated perforating apparatus, all disposed in a borehole having production tubing therein;

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section of the tool taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and drawn to a larger scale;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a firing and indicating system for the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a borehole 10 is lined with well casing 9 traversing earth formations 11, 12 where a section of casing 9 adjacent formation 12 is to be perforated. Extending through the casing is a pair of strings of

production tubing

13, 14 which are suitably spaced from one another by conventional clamp means 15. Tubing string 13 extends adjacent to and beyond the formation 12 while tubing 14 is terminated just above the formation. A conventional packer 16 is provided to seal off the space between the interior wall of the casing 9 and the outer walls of

tubing strings

13, 14 above the formation 12 while another packer (not shown) may be likewise employed to seal ofi the space between casing 9 and tubing string 13 below the formation 12. It will be appreciated that rather than packing off the tubings in casing the tubings can be cemented in an open borehole.

An array of elements including a casing collar locator 17, an orienting and safety device 18 embodying the invention, a spacer member 19 and a perforating apparatus 20 are suitably coupled together and passed through the borehole by means of a Winch (not shown) and cable 21. The orienting device 18 is shown positioned within a tubular locating pocket 21 in the production tubing 14 so that the firing plane of the perforating apparatus lies in a plane perpendicular to the drawings and therefore does not intersect the other production tubing 13. The casing collar locator 17, spacer member 19 and perforating apparatus 20 are wellknown in the art and need not be further described. A typical conventional perforator using shaped charges is illustrated in Patent No. 2,853,944.

In FIG. 2, the orienting and safety device 18 embodying the invention is illustrated in an operative position in the tubular locating pocket 21 which serves to orient the apparatus. Locating pocket 21 includes upper and lower tubular

box end portions

22, 23 which are arranged to threadedly receive the corresponding pin ends of upwardly and downwardly extending portions of tubing 14. Integral with

end portions

22 and 23 are upper and lower

offset transition sections

24 and 25 to which an enlarged tubular central member 26 is welded. The central axis 27 of member 26 is oflset from the central axis 28 of the tubing 14 so as to define an enlarged locating recess 29. The transition section 24 has an upper central bore 30 aligned with the central axis 28 and a lower central bore 31 aligned with central axis 27. Section 25 likewise has

bores

32 and 33 aligned with

axis

28, 27, respectively.

an opening in the housing, and a safety .device 38 at the upper end of the housing. I

Safety device 38 includes a cylindrical switch plug 39 having an upper and lower' end portion sized to be received in the lower end of easing collar loc'ator 17 and in the upper end of the tubular housing 35, respectively. An intermediate outwardly extending flange 40 on switch plug 39 separates the lower end of the locator 17 from the upper end housing 35. Suit-able fastening means, for example,;screws orthe like (not shown) rigidly secure the plug 39 to the locator 17 and housing 35.

At the upper end of switch plug 39, an electrical switch 41 is received in a recess 42 and secured thereinby suitable fastening and clamping means 43. Switch 41 includes a pair of

contacts

44 and 46 connected to an input conductor 45 and an output conductor 47, respectively, and arranged to connect or disconnect the

conductors

45, 47. The

conductors

45, 47 are included in one line of a firing circuit between a source of power (not shown) at the surface of the earth and the detonation circuit (not shown) of perforating apparatus 20, the remaining line being completed by appropriate ground connections. Accordingly, detonation of the perforating apparatus is permitted only when

contacts

44, 46 are electrically connected together. 7

Output conductor 47 extends through "a longitudinal bore 49 in plug 39 into 'and through'the housing 35 and is suitably connected to the perforating apparatus. A packing and a packing 'nut '50 fluidly seal the conductor 47 in the lower end of the bore 49. Movable contact 44 of the switch 41 is adapted to bfeactuated by a 'slidable tab member to close with contact 46 in the position shown while downward movement of tab member 51 permits a spring 48 to disconnect

contacts

44, 46. Tab member 51 is suitably connected .to the upper end of a cylindrical actuating rod 52 by lock 'nuts53 threadedly received on the rod. Rod 52is slidably received within a longitudinal bore 54 in plug 39 and fluidly sealed therein by means of packing and packing nut 55. Below plug 39, the rod 52 is enlarged to form an upwardly facing shoulder '56 which limits movement of the rod in an upward direction, the lower end of the rod being bifurcated to receive an upper end portion of the upper arm 36. A pin 58 pivotally secures rod 52 to arm I With respect to the above d escn'bed switch and. switch plug, it will be understood, of coursepthat the number of conductors passed through plug 39 is a matter of choice.

Turning now to the orienting 'me'ans,fthe intermediate portion of housing 35 has a longitudinally extending window 59 (FIG. 3) permitting extension of the upper arm 36 and lower arm 37 outwardly of the housing. Upper arm 36 is in the form of a flat plate of generally arcuate configuration presenting a convex portion 59' to which a narrow width, flange-like wall-engaging strip 60 is attached (FIG. '4). The arm is pivotally connected at an upper end portion tothe housing 35 by a cylindrical pin 61 that extends through aligned openings in'thehousing which are arranged perpendicularto the axis28. To bias the arm so that strip 60 is urged toward the'wall of the I tubing spring, a tensionspring '63 is connected between an upper tab-like extension 64 of the arm and a pin'65 fixed within the housing below pin 61. The arm is provided with a cut-out recess 66 which, in effect, is adapted to receive spring 63 so that the armmay befully retracted.

It is thus evident that retraction of the arm 36 against the bias of spring 63 occurs whenever the apparatus moves upwardly and portion 60 engages an obstruction. Lower arm 37 is intended to provide similar retraction on downward motion. Thus, the lower end of arm 37 is pivotally connected to the housing by a pin 68 that extends through aligned openings in the housing arranged perpendicular to axis 28. The upper end of arm 37 has bifurcated portion 69 which receives the lower end of arm 36 and a pin 70 extends through aligned openings in end portion 69, being received by an elongated slot 72 in upper arm 36 (FIG. 3). Slot 72 extends along an axis disposed angularly 45 from a flat bottom surface'73 on upper arm 36. A flangelike, narrow width, wall-engaging strip 74 similar to strip 60 extends along and is fixed to the outer edge of the arm 37.

In an exemplary completion operation, locating pocket 21 is inserted at an appropriate place in the tubingstring '14 and the strings 13 and 14 a're clamped together by spaced clamps 15. Thereaftenthe array is lowered into the casing 9 to a position as shown in FIG. 1. The size of the tubing strings 13, 14 and locating pocket 21 are selected relative to the borehole size so that the tubing string 13 cannot occupy a position in -a sector A (FIG. 3) which is a zone in which perforations may be made in casing 9. Forexample, referring to FIG. 3, a typical casing may have an inner diameter 7 /8", while the tubing strings may be 2 /2" in diameter and clamped together with a spacing between them. By choosing the internal diameter for the: central section 26 to be 3% and holding the maximum overall width of the member 26 and tubing 14 to no'more than 4% it has been found that tubing string 13 will be located somewhere between the dotted-line positions 13 and 13". This leaves a sector A in which the tubing 13 cannot be positioned. The sector A with the above-exemplary dimensions has 70 sector angle, or it may be defined as being 35 on either side of a central plane 76 extending through the abovementioned

central axes

27, 28. Hence, by orienting a plane of firing within the sector A, it may be assumed that the tubing 13 will not be perforated.

. With the tubing strings in position, the perforating apparatus '20, the spacer member-19, the orienting device 18 and casing collar locator 17 are assembled, the spacer member '19 being chosen of a suitable length so as to suspend the perforating apparatus 20 the desired distance below the locating pocket 21. The plane of firing of the perforating apparatus is aligned with a longitudinal plane passing through the housing 35 and

arms

36, 37 corresponding generally to central plane 76 in FIG. 3.

As the array of elements is lowered through tubing 14, the

arms

36, 37 are held in a retracted position (shown in dotted lines, FIG. 2) by the tubing. The retracted position of upper arm 36. places spring 63 under tension .while'rod 52 is in a lowermost position disconnecting

electrical contacts

44, 46. In lowering, the array of elements normally tends to rotate due to the cable torque so that when the

arms

36,37 reach the enlarged recess 29 the action of the spring '63 urges arm 36 outwardly into the recess 29. Slot 72 in arm 36 andpin 70 in arm 37 cause the lower arm 37 to rotate outwardly about the pivot pin 68. Spring 63 is under a. sufficient tension so that if the

arms

36, 37 are not precisely aligned within the sector A, the spring will force the arms outwardly with a 'sufiicient force to rotate the housing 35 within the pocket 21 until the arms areextended within the sector. Rotation of upper-arm36 outwardly from the housing 35 also urges rod 52 upwardly 'which permits tab member 51 to engage movable contact 46 to electrically

close contacts

44, 46 hence connecting the perforating circuit. The perforating apparatus-2 0 is now'aligned within sector A and, at the same time, the electrical circuit is completed to permit firing of the perforatingapparatus. It will also be apparent that in lowering the devices, the casing collar locator 17 provides an accurate indication when the orienting means 18 isadjacent or nearing the pocket 21 so that location of the orienting-means Within the pocket can be readily ascertained. p

In removing the array of elements, upward movement causes the strip 60 of arm 36 to engage the transition section 24. Arm 36 is thus retracted into the housing 35 carrying with it lower arm 37. Of course, as arm 36 retracts. rod 52 moves downwardly so that spring 48 opens

contacts

44, 46 which disconnects the electrical circuit to the perforator.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed wherein an orienting device 80 is disposed in a portion of a locating pocket 21. In this embodiment corresponding parts to those disclosed in FIGS. 1-4 are similarly designated. Thus, safety device 38, while shown in a rearranged manner with the switch inverted remains basically the same as described with respect to FIG. 2.

The orienting means includes an upper link arm member 81 pivotally connected at one end 82 in a central location in the housing or carrier 35, the other end of the arm being bifurcated with elongated slots 83 in the bifurcated sections 84, 85 (FIG. 6). A lower arm member 86 has an upper end portion 87 reduced in size to be received between

bifurcated sections

84, 85 and a transversely arranged pin 88 extending through end portion 87 is received by slots 83 to slidably and pivotally interconnect

arms

81, 86. The remaining end portion of arm member 86 is also reduced in size at 89 to be received between a bifurcated section 90 of an adjustment member 91. The bifurcated section 90 and portion 89 of arm member 86 are pivotally secured to the housing by a pin 92 which extends transversely through both members. The pin 92 is located on one side of the longitudinal axis of the housing spaced from opening 59 to permit complete retraction of arm 86 into the housing.

Cap screws 93, 94 received in sockets in adjustment member 91 are threadedly received in the body of arm member 86 thereby clamping the

members

86 and 90 together. An adjustment screw 95 is threadedly received in adjustment member 90 so as to bear upon the body of arm member 86. Thus,

members

86 and 90 may be angularly adjusted relative to one another by loosening

cap screws

93, 94 and changing the positioning of adjustment screw 95 followed by retightening of

screws

93, 94. The reasons for angular adjustment will become apparent from the discussion to follow.

Arms

81, 86 are resiliently biased outwardly of the housing 35 through window 59 by means of a spring 96 secured between a lower pin 97 on the housing 35 and an upper pin 98 on the adjustment member 90, the pin 98 being offset from the pivot pin 92 so as to urge arm 86 outwardly of the housing.

In the upper portion of housing 35, the lower end of rod 52 is pivotally connected at 99 to a connecting link 100 which has its other end suitably bifurcated and secured to the lower arm 86 by a pin 101. The apparatus thus far described operates in a manner similar to the operation of FIGS. l-4 except that the movement of rod 52 is reversed. That is, as spring 96 urges

arms

81, 86 towards an extended position so that rod 52 moves downwardly to close the safety switch 38 to provide electrical continuity for the firing circuit of the perforating apparatus.

To insure a precise orientation of the

arms

81 and 86, latching means are provided to prevent the arms from collapsing while in an extended position. The aforesaid means includes a lower latching finger 103 to latch the arm 86 in an extended position and an upper unlatching finger 104 to unlock the latching finger 103.

Fingers

103, 104 are normally depressed into the housing 35 while passing through tubing by engagement with the tubing wall and, when in locating pocket 21 extend outwardly of the housing 35 to permit latching of arm 86 in an extended position.

Lower finger 103 is generally triangularly shaped with

sloping surfaces

106, 107 forming an apex 105 which is adapted to protrude outwardly of the housing when the finger 103 is in a latching position. A tab portion 108 ofi'set longitudinally from apex 105 and extending from the remaining or inner surface 109 of the finger is' pivotally connected to the housing by a pin 110 so that the remaining surface 109 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus when the apex extends outwardly of the housing. The location of the tab portion 108 also is such that when the finger 103 is pivoted clockwise about pin to retract the finger 103 into the housing, the sloping surface 106 is moved to a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.

The extremity of the finger 103 adjacent to adjustment member 91 has a latch portion 111 extending inwardly of the housing which is adapted to cooperate with a latch portion 112 on the adjusting member 91. The latch portion 112 is arranged to extend outwardly and subjacent to the latch portion 111 when the arm 86 is in an extended position to be in complementary engagement with latch portion 111 of finger 103. The interengagement of the latch portions 111, 112 prevents the arm member 86 from inward movement towards the housing until such time as the latch portion 111 is pivoted outwardly of the housing to permit disengagement of the latch portions 111, 112. Thus, it will be apparent that the latch portions 111, 112 are disengaged while passing through tubing, and thereafter, when the arm 86 is extended outwardly of the housing a given distance, the interengagement of the latch portions 111, 112 prevents the arm from collapsing. Since the adjustment member 91 permits adjustment of the given distance, it will be appreciated that the given distance may be accurately set with respect to a given locating pocket 21 so that once the arm 86 is extended, the locking of the arm 86 prevents rotation relative to the pocket 21.

To permit unlatching of the arm 86 and raising of the tool, the unlatching finger 104 is disposed above the

arms

81, 86 to engage the offset section 24 of the tubing upon upward movement. The unlatching finger 104 is thereby moved to a retracted position. Unlatching finger 104 is generally arcuate with an apex 114 adapted to extend outwardly of the housing when the finger 104 is within the locating pocket 21. One end of finger 104 is pivoted by a pin 115 located near the opening 59 and above pin 82 of arm 81, the other end of finger 104 lying within the housing and prevented from moving outwardly of the housing by engagement with the housing above opening 59. A lever arm for the finger is formed by an inwardly extending tab portion 116 on finger 104. A spring 117 is connected between the tab portion 116 and the housing to resiliently bias the finger 104 outwardly of the housing. A pair of

parallel link members

118, 119

interconnect fingers

103, 104, the corresponding upper ends of the link members being pivotally connected to the tab port-ion 116 of finger 104 and the corresponding lower ends of the link members being pivotally connected to finger 103 at a point 120 outwardly of its pivot 110. Thus, inward pivotal movement of upper finger 104 is translated through the

link members

118, 119 into inward or clockwise pivotal movement of lower finger 104.

In operation, the apparatus orients a perforating apparatus similar to the orientation described with respect to FIGS. 1-4. The latching arrangement operates in the following manner. As the apparatus 80 is lowered through tubing, the

arms

81, 86 as well as

fingers

103, 104 are retracted into the housing 35 and the

switch contacts

44, 46 are open. When finger 103 enters the locating pocket 21 it remains retracted in the housing because finger 104 is retracted, the

linkage

118, 119 thereby holding finger 103 in the retracted position. Thereafter, as

arms

81, 86 enter pocket 21 they extend outwardly under action of spring 96 and seek their maximum extension along plane X-X as shown in FIG. 6. Further downward movement of the apparatus permits finger 104 to enter pocket 21 and assume an extended position due to the action of spring 117. The pivotal movement tively slidable members 125,

pivotal movement of finger 103, the finger 103 assuming an extended position. In the extended position of finger 103, latch portion 111 of finger 103 engages latch portion 112 of arm -86.thereby preventing arm '86 from in.- ward movement.

To retract the

arms

81, 86, the apparatus 80 is raised and finger 104 is depressed as it enters the tubing adjacent to locating pocket 21 The pivotal movement of finger 104 is translated through

linkage

118, 119 into pivotal movement of finger 103 whichunlatches the latching portions 111, 112 thereby permitting

arms

81, 86 to be retracted into the housing as they are passed into the tubing.

In another embodiment of the present invention, orienting arms 36', 37 as shown in FIG. 7 are pivoted to rela- 126 in the housing 35.

Members

125, 126 may be moved relative to one another by a spring 127 or the like connected between the members. In this instance the electrical contacts 128,129 may extend through the

slidable members

125, 125 to contact when they are close together yet separate when the arms 36, 37' are retracted. The adjacent ends of the arms 36, 37' are pivotally connected together at 130.

In FIG. 8, the resistance R of the perforating circuit in the perforating gun is shown connected between an electrical ground and the downholeswitch 38 while at the surface the conductor 45 may be connected by a switch 132 into a bridge circuit 133, the resistance R forming one leg of the bridge. Also shown in the down- -hole circuit is the casing collar coil 17. A low voltage source of potential 134 is also connected across input plied across the bridge 133. Current fiow through the resistance R does not occur until the switch 38 closes, i.e., when the arms of the orienting means are extendedl The current flow is, of course, adjusted so as not to approach a value where the perforating means would be detonated. However, once switch 38 is closed, agalvanometer 135 or like connected across the output terminals of the bridge provides an indication when the switch 38 is closed. Thereafter, switch 132 may be actuated to another position wherein a source of high potential 136 is connected to the perforating circuit and the perforating meansmay be detonated.

It may be seen from the foregoing description taken with the drawings that apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention provides a perforating apparatus with new and improved orienting means for locating the plane of firing relative to a first production tubing so that the firing plane does not intersect a second production tubing extending alongside the perforating apparatus and moreover, the perforating apparatus is prevented from premature firing by a safetydevice'which does not completethe electrical circuituntil theorienting means properly locates the perforating apparatus.

-While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described,it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing'from this invention in its broader aspects, and. therefore the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Au orienting and safety device for use in a bore hole having at least one production tubing and an enlarged internal locating section in said tubing, 'said orienting and safety device comprising: a carrier adapted to be passed through the production tubing; at least one orienting arm movably connected to said carrier and adapated to be retracted relative to said carrier to permit said carrier to pass through said tubing; means urging.

an electrical switch mounted on said carrier and including contacts adapted to be electrically connected and disconnected; and means operably mechanically coupling said arm to one of said contacts to electrically disconnect said contacts when said orienting arm is retracted and to electrically connect said contacts when 'said' orienting arm is in an extended position in said enlarged section.

2. In apparatus for use in a borehole having at least one production tubing and an enlarged internal locating 10 section in said tubing, the combination comprising an orienting and safety device including orienting arms secured within said device which are retractable within said device to pass through tubing, means in said device normally urging said arms outwardly of said device so as to extend and locate said' arms insaid enlarged section;

a pair of electrical contacts in said device adapted to be electrically connected and disconnected; means operably connected to one of said orienting arms to electrically disconnectsaid contactswhen said orienting arms are retracted and to electrically connect said contacts when saidorienting arms are extended in said enlarged section.

3. In apparatus for use in a borehole having at least ,one production tubing and an enlarged internal locating section in said tubing, the combination comprising an orienting and safety deviceincluding a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture; a pair of orienting arms having end portions secured within said housing; means to interconnect corresponding ends of said arms to one another; means to urge said interconnected ends of said arms outwardly through said aperture;

-at least one electrical conductor terminating in said device; atleast-one other conductor in said device adapted to be placed into electrical continuity "with said terminated conductor; meansoperably connected to one of said arms -to electrically connect .said conductors when said interconnected ends of said arms are located in said locating section and to disconnectsaid conductors when said interconnected ends of said arms are within said tubing.

4. In apparatus for use in a borehole having at least oneproduction tubing and an enlarged internal locating *section in said tubing, the combination comprising an orienting and safety device including a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture; a pair of 4.5 orienting arms having end portions secured within said housing; -means to "interconnect corresponding ends of said arms to one another; means to urge said interconnected ends of said arms outwardlythroug'h said aperture; at least one electrical conductor terminating in said device; at least one other conductor in said-device adapted to be placed into electrical continuity with said terminated conductor; means operably connected to one of said arms to electrically connect said conductors when said interconnectedtends of said arms are located in said locating 155-1866111011 and to disconnect said conductors when said interconnected .ends are within said tubing; and a perforatingapparatus connected to said device having a plane of Ifiring aligned with a central plane extending through said arms and the central axis of said housing.

5. In apparatus for use in a borehole having at least one production tubing and. an enlarged internal locating section in said tubing, the combination comprising an .-.orienting.and safety device including ahousing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture therein; a

5 pair 0f orienting arms arranged to be retractable into said housing; meansstointerconnect corresponding ends .of said arms iforrelative movement with respect to one another; means to pivotally' connect the remaining ends *ofsaid. arms to said housing; means for urging said interconnected ends of said arms outwardly of said housing;

.a :pair of el'ectricalcontacts in said device adapted to be connected and disconnected; means operably connected to one of said arms to electrically connect said contacts when-said arms are extended and to-disconnect said contacts when saidarmsare retracted, said arms being retracted when disposed in said tubing and extendable when within said locating section.

6. In apparatus for use in a borehole having at least one production tubing and an enlarged, internal locating section in said tubing, the combination comprising an orienting and safety device including a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture therein; a pair of orienting arms arranged to be retractable and extendable relative to said housing; an elongated slot in one end of one of said arms; said other arm being bifurcated at one end to extend over said slot; a pin member extending through said bifurcated end and said slot to interconnect the said bifurcated end and the said slot thereby interconnecting said arms for relative movement; means to pivotally connect the remaining ends of said arms to said housing; means for urging said arms outwardly of said housing; a pair of electrical contacts in said device; a slidable contact in said device arranged to connect and disconnect said electrical contacts; and a rod connected between one of said arms and said slidable contact whereby said electrical contacts are disconnected when said arms are retracted while passing through said tubing and said electrical contacts are connected when said arms are extended within said locating section.

7. Apparatus for use in a borehole including at least one production tubing extending through a level to be perforated and at least one other production tubing and an internally enlarged locating section in said other tttbing disposed above said level to be perforated with said enlarged section having its major dimensioned crosssectional portion positioned transversely to a longitudinally extending plane which intersects the central axis of each of said tubings; means to secure said tubings relative to one another; an orienting device comprising a carrier adapted to be passed through said other production tubing; at least one orienting arm having an end portion movably connected to said carrier so that the remain ing end portion is extendable outwardly of said carrier yet retractable relative to said carrier to permit said carrier to pass through said tubing; means urging the remaining end portion of said arm outwardly of said device so as to extend said arm thereby to locate said device in said enlarged section; an electrical switch mounted on said carrier and including contacts adapted to be electrically connected and disconnected; and means operably mechanically coupling said arm to one of said contacts to electrically disconnect said contacts when said orienting arm is retracted and to electrically connect said contacts when said orienting arm is in an extended position in said enlarged section.

8. Apparatus for use in a borehole including at least one production tubing extending through a level to be perforated and at least one other production tubing; an internally enlarged locating section in said other tubing disposed above said level to be perforated, said enlarged section having its major dimensioned cross-sectional portion positioned transversely to a longitudinally extending plane which intersects the central axis of each of said tubings; means to secure said tubings relative to one another; an orienting device including a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture therein; a pair of orienting arms secured within said housing; means to interconnect corresponding ends of said arms to one another; and means to urge said interconnected arms outwardly through said aperture, said arms being retracted into said housing when in said other tubing.

9. Apparatus for use in a borehole including at least one production tubing extending through a level to be perforated and at least one other production tubing; an internally enlarged locating section in said other tubing disposed above said level to be perforated, said enlarged section having its major dimensioned cross-sectional portion positioned transversely to a longitudinally-extending plane which intersects the central axis of each of said tubings; means to secure said tubings relative to one another; an orienting device including a housing having an elongated longitudinally-extending aperture therein; a pair of orienting arms secured within said housing; means to interconnect corresponding ends of said arms to one another; means to urge said interconnected arms outwardly through said aperture, said arms being retracted into said housing when in said other tubing; a pair of electrical contacts in said device adapted to be connected and disconnected; and means operably connected to one of said arms to electrically connect said contacts when said arms are extended and to disconnect said contacts when said arms are retracted.

10. Apparatus for use in a borehole including at least one production tubing extending through a level to be perforated and at least one other production tubing; an internally enlarged locating section in said other tubing disposed above said level to be perforated, said enlarged section having its major dimensioned cross-sectional portion positioned transversely to a longitudinally extending plane which intersects the central axis of each of said tubings; means to secure said tubings relative to one another; an orienting device including a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture therein; a pair of orienting arms secured within said housing; means to interconnect adjacent ends of said arms for relative movement with respect to one another; means for urging said interconnected arms outwardly through said aperture, said arms being retracted when in said other tubing; a pair of electrical contacts in said device adapted to be connected and disconnected; means operably connected to one of said arms to electrically connect said contacts when said arms are extended and to disconnect said contacts when said arms are retracted; and perforating apparatus connected to said housing having a plane of firing oriented with respect to a central plane passing through said arms and the central axis of said housing.

11. Apparatus for use in a borehole including at least one production tubing extending through a level to be perforated and at least one other production tubing, an internally enlarged locating section in said other tubing disposed above said level to be perforated, said enlarged section having its major dimensioned cross-sectional portion positioned transversely to a longitudinally extending plane which intersects the central axis of each of said tubings; means to secure said tubings relative to one another; =an orienting device including a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture therein; a pair of orienting arms arranged to be retractable and extendable relative to said housing, one of said arms having an elongated slot at one end thereof, said other arm being bifurcated at one end to extend over said slot; a pin member extending through said bifurcated end and said slot to interconnect the said bifurcated end and the said slot thereby interconnecting said arms for relative movement; means to pivotally connect the remaining ends of said arms to said housing; means to urge said interconnected arms outwardly through said aperture, said arms being retracted when in said other tubing; a pair of electrical contacts in said device arranged to connect and disconnect; and a rod connected between one of said arms and one of said contacts whereby said electrical contacts are disconnected when said arms are retracted while passing through said tubing and said electrical contacts are connected when said arms are extended within said locating section.

12. An orienting device for use in a borehole having at least one production tubing and an enlarged internal locating section in said tubing, said orienting device comprising: a carrier adapted to be passed through the production tubing; at least one orienting arm having an. end portion movably connected to said carrier so that the remaining end pontion is extendable outwardly of said carrier yet retractable relative to said carrier to permit said carrier to pass through said tubing; means urging said arm outwardly of said device soas to extend said 1 1 7 arm thereby to locate said device in said enlarged section; a locking finger and an unlocking finger disposed above and below said arm and pivotally connected within said carrier so as to extend and retract relative to said carrier; cooperating means on said locking finger and said arm to lock said arm in an extended position; and means interconnecting said locking finger and said unlocking finger for unlocking said cooperating means when said unlocking finger is retracted towards said carrier.

13. In a borehole having at least one production tubing and an enlarged intern-a1 locating section in said tubing, an orienting and safety device including orienting arms having end portions secured to said device so that the remaining end portions are extendable outwardly of said.

housing yet retractable relative to said device to pass through tubing, means in said device normally urging said arms outwardly of said device so a to extend and locate said device in said enlarged section; a locking finger and an unlocking finger disposed above and below said arms and pivotally connected within said device so as to extend and retract relative to said device; cooperating means on said locking finger and one of said arms to lock said one arm in an extended position; and means interconnecting said locking finger and said unlocking finger 'for unlocking said cooperating means when said unlocking finger is retracted towards said device.

14. In a bore hole having at least one production tubing an an enlarged internal locating section in said tubing, an orienting and safety device including a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture therein; a pair of orienting arms arranged to be retractable and extendable relative to said housing; an elongated slot in one end of one of said arms; said other arm being bifurcated at one end to extend over said slot; a pin member extending through said bifurcated end and said slot to interconnect the said bifurcated end and the said slot thereby interconnecting said arms for relative movement; means to pivotally connect the remaining ends of said arms within said housing; means for urging said arms outwardly of said housing; a locking finger and an unlocking finger disposed above and below said interconnected arms and pivotally connected within said housing so as to extend and retract relative to said housing; cooperating means on said locking finger and one of said arms to lock said arms in an extended position; and means interconnecting said locking finger and said unlocking finger for unlock ing said cooperatmg means when said unlocking finger is retracted toward said housing. Y 7

15. An orienting device for use in a borehole having a least one production tubing and an enlarged internal locating section in said tubing, said orienting .devic'e comprising: a carrier adapted to be passed through the production tubing; at least one orienting arm having an end portion movably connected to said carrier so that the remaining end portion is extendable outwardly of said carrier yet retractable relative to said carrier to pass through said tubing; means urging said arm outwardly of said device so as to extend said arm thereby to locate said device in said enlarged section; a locking finger and an unlocking finger disposed above and below said arm and pivotally connected within said carrier so as to extend and retract relative to said carrier; cooperating means on said locking finger and said arm to lock said arm in an extended position; means interconnecting said locking finger and said unlocking finger for unlocking said cooperating means when said unlocking finger is retracted towards said carrier; and means to adjust the position at remaining end portion is extendable outwardly of said carrier yet retractable relative to said carrier to pass through said tubing; means urging said arm outwardly of said device so as to extend said arm thereby to locate said device in said enlarged section; a locking finger and an unlocking finger disposed above and below said arm and pivotally connected within said carrier so as to extend and retract relative to said carrier; cooperating means on said locking finger and said arm. to lock said arm in an extended position; means interconnecting said locking finger and said unlocking finger for unlocking said cooperating means when said unlocking fingeris retracted towards said carrier; an electrical switch mounted on said carrier and including contacts adapted to be electrically connected and disconnected; and mean operably mechanically coupling said arm to one of said contacts to electrically disconnect said contacts when said orienting arm is retracted and to electrically connect said contacts when said orienting arm is in an extended position in said enlarged section.

17. Apparatus to'r'use in :a borehole including at least one production tubing and an enlarged internal locating section in said tubing, an orienting and safety device including: a housing having an elongated longitudinally extending aperture therein; a pair of orienting arms arranged to be retractable into said housing; means to interconnect corresponding ends of said arms; means to pivotally connect the remaining ends of said arms to said housing; means for urging said interconnected ends of said arms outwardly of said housing; a locking finger and an unlocking finger disposed above and below said arms, means to pivotally secure one of said fingers in said housing at a first location adjacent to said aperture in a first longitudinal plane; means to pivotally secure the other of said fingers in said housing at a second location spaced fi'om said aperture and in a second longitudinal plane; cooperating means on said locking finger and one of said arms to lock said arm in an extend-ed position; and a linkage system pivotally connected at one end portion to said unlocking finger at a third location lying substantially in said second plane and pivotally connected at its remaining ends'to said locking finger .at a :fourth location lying substantially in said first plane.

18. In apparatus for use with a string of well pipe, the combination comprising a tubular locating section arranged -f0r endwis-e connection in said pipe string and having an elongated portion enlarged relative to the bore of said pipe to define ran olfset pocket in one principal direction with respect to the bore of said pipe, a well tool longer than said offsetpocket and including an orienting device and a well perforator, said orienting device including an arm having an end portion movably mounted on said device so that the remaining end portion is extendable outwardly of said carrier yet retractable relative to said carrier for movement in a longitudinal plane, said arm be ing in a retracted position for passage through the bore 'of said pipe string and an extended position when received in said offset pocket, means for urging said arm outwardly which said cooperating means lock said arm in an exsaid perforator having .a direction of firing fixed with respect to the plane of said arm so as to be oriented for firing with respect to said principal direction of said offset pocket.

19. For use in a borehole, a well tool adapted to be passed through a string of pipe and including an orienting device and a well periorator, said orienting device including at least one arm having an end portion movably mounted on said deviceso that the remaining end portion is extendable and retractable in a longitudinal plane between a retracted position for passage through the bore of said pipe string and an extended position when disposed in a location having a larger bore than the bore of said pipe string, means for urging said arm outwardly into an extended position, means in said orienting device coupled to said arm for rele-asablylocking said arm in an extended position, said perforator having a direction of firing fixed 13 14 with respect -to the plane of said arm so a to be oriented 2,781,098 2/57 Bielstein 166-55 .1 for firing with respect to said arm. 2,785,754 3/ 57 True 1665 5 .1 2,796,023 6/57 Abendroth 166-555 References Cited by the Examiner 2,891,620 6/59 Bielstein 16635 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. 2,408,419 10/46 FOSIEI 16655.5 BE J A IN BE DE E 2,630,182 3/53 K1011 166-9 N A 4 N xaml'qer' 2,653,007 9/53 Aston "166-9

Claims

19. FOR USE IN A BOREHOLE, A WELL TOOL ADAPTED TO BE PASSED THROUGH A STRING OF PIPE AND INCLUDING AN ORIENTING DEVICE AND A WELL PERFORATOR, SAID ORIENTING DEVICE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE ARM HAVING AN END PORTION MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID DEVICE SO THAT THE REMAINING END PORTION IS EXTENDABLE AND RETRACTABLE IN A LONGITUDINAL PLANE BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION FOR PASSAGE THROUGH THE BORE OF SAID PIPE STRING AND AN EXTENDED POSITION WHEN DISPOSED IN A LOCATION HAVING A LARGER BORE THAN THE BORE OF SAID PIPE STRING, MEANS FOR URGING SAID ARM OUTWARDLY INTO AN EXTENDED POSITION, MEANS IN SAID ORIENTING DEVICE COUPLED TO SAID ARM FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID ARM IN AN EXTENDED POSITION, SAID PERFORATOR HAVING A DIRECTION OF FIRING FIXED WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF SAID ARM SO AS TO BE ORIENTED FOR FIRING WITH RESPECT TO SAID ARM.