Patent Grant
9151119
The present embodiments generally relate to bidirectional dual eccentric devices for increasing the wellbore diameter and improving the quality of the wellbore.
A need exists for an eccentric tool that can smooth and improve quality of a wellbore bidirectionally.
When a dogleg, spiraled path, or tortuous path is cut by a drill bit, the relatively unobstructed passageway following the center of the wellbore can yield a smaller diameter than the wellbore itself. This relatively unobstructed passageway is sometimes referred to as the “drift” and the nominal diameter of the passageway is sometimes referred to as the “drift diameter”. The “drift” of a passageway is generally formed by wellbore surfaces forming the inside radii of curves along the path of the wellbore. Passage of pipe or tools through the relatively unobstructed drift of the wellbore is sometimes referred to as “drift” or “drifting”.
In general, a need has existed to enlarge a drift diameter without enlarging the diameter of the entire wellbore and to go through a tighter diameter, which can be created when casing is run into a wellbore.
A need exists for a reamer that reduces the torque and drag on the drill string and produces closer to a drift wellbore while reaming in two directions.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.
Before explaining the present apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The invention improves safety at the well site by reducing the number of trips into a well to solve the problem of drift in the diameter of the wellbore.
The present invention can be directed to a wellbore reaming device that saves the environment by reducing the number of trips, and hence reducing the possibility that wellbore fluid and other material will explode out of a wellbore.
This invention can be a device that allows a user to ream a wellbore without jeopardizing the integrity of the casing.
The embodiments relate to a wellbore reaming device.
The embodiments can include a drill string, a bit coupled to the drill string, a bottom hole assembly coupled to the drill string, and a bidirectional dual eccentric reamer coupled to the drill string.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can be coupled on a first end to a drill string and on a second end to a drill bit, the drill bit having a drill bit diameter.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can be a 17.5 inch tool or a 3 inch tool.
The term “shaft” as used herein can refer to the integral one piece body of the tool. A shaft can be cylindrical or it can be a combination of elliptical or concentric shapes. In embodiments, the shaft can have an annulus and an outer diameter from 4 inches to 26 inches. The shaft's walls can be from ¾ of an inch to 14 inches in thickness. The shaft can be made of steel, coated steel, or another highly durable, high melt weight non-magnetic material. In all embodiments, the shaft can be highly impact resistant and resistant to deforming under pressures up to 10,000 psi.
The term “annulus” as used herein can refer to the bore formed longitudinally in the shaft. An annulus can be straight or curved. The annulus can be coated with an additional material to ensure the annulus can be highly corrosion resistant and able to handle high flow rates that other reamers cannot. In embodiment, the shaft can be made from an outer and an inner material, with the inner material being stronger in property and resistance to corrosion than the outer material.
The term “maximum fluid flow” as used herein can refer to the drilling fluid flow rate though the annulus from 100 ppm to 1,500 ppm.
The term “first shaft portion” as used herein can refer to a first portion of the shaft that can have a first diameter that can be an outer diameter that can be from 3 inches to 26 inches. The first shaft portion can have the same shape as the shaft.
The term “second shaft portion” as used herein can refer to a second portion of the shaft that can be integral with the first portion of the shaft and can have a second outer diameter different from the first diameter. The second outer diameter can have a range from 2 inches to 24 inches. The second shaft portion can have the same shape as the shaft.
The term “third shaft portion” as used herein can refer to a third portion of the shaft that can be integral with the second portion of the shaft and can have a third outer diameter different from the first and the second diameters of the first and the second shaft portions respectively. The third outer diameter can be from 2 inches to 24 inches. The third shaft portion can have the same shape as the shaft. In embodiments, the invention can have from a 1 to 4:1 ratio of length from the first shaft portion to the second shaft portion. In additional embodiments, the invention can have from a 1 to 4:1 ratio of length from the third shaft portion to the second shaft portion.
The term “first neck” as used herein can refer to a shape created on the shaft that can be integral with the shaft and can provide a first increased flow area for drilling fluid flowing out of the wellbore as the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer reams in and out of the wellbore. The first increased flow area can an increase in fluid flow from 5 percent to 15 percent.
The term “second neck” as used herein can refer to a shape created on the shaft that can be integral with the shaft and can be configured to provide a second increased flow area for drilling fluid flowing out of the wellbore as the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer reams in and out of the wellbore. The second increase flow area can increase fluid flow from 5 percent to 15 percent. In embodiments, the length of a first neck to a second neck can be 1 to 2:1 or 1:1 to 2 in length. In additional embodiments, the first neck can have a first neck outer diameter and the second neck can have a second neck outer diameter. The second neck diameter can be less than the first neck outer diameter by an amount from 5 percent to 15 percent. Each neck portion can contain the annulus.
The term “reamer portions” as used herein can refer to sections on the outside of the shaft that can be integral with the shaft and are not the necks. The length of the reamer portions can each be from 5 percent to 75 percent of the entire length of the shaft. Each reamer portion can contain the annulus.
The term “first helical blade” as used herein can refer to a piece of metal extending from the shaft along a helical curve having a first thickness. The helical blade can be solid. In embodiments, the first helical blade can be tapered from a thicker portion adjacent the shaft to a thinner portion away from the shaft. In additional embodiments, the first helical blade can have a scoop shape.
The term “second helical blade” as used herein can refer to a piece of metal extending from the shaft along a helical curve having a second thickness that can be larger than the first thickness of the first helical blade. In embodiments, the second helical blade can be solid. In additional embodiments, the second helical blade can be tapered from a thicker portion adjacent the shaft to a thinner portion away from the shaft. In further embodiments, the second helical blade can have a scoop shape.
The term “flutes” as used herein can refer to indentations or depressions formed between each pair of helical blades. The flutes can be elliptical in shape. In embodiments, the flutes can be tapered on the ends. Each flute can extend up to 50 percent into the wall thickness of the shaft. When tapered, each flute can extend from 5 percent to 50 percent into the wall thickness of the shaft.
The term “cutting nodes” as used herein can refer to polycrystalline diamond compacts installed on at least one edge of at least one helical blade. Since shafts generally rotate clockwise, the cutting nodes can be located on a front side or leading edge of each helical blade that can be the outermost portion of the helical blade and the furthest location away from the shaft. The shape of the cutting node can be circular, triangular, octagonal, square, or any other polygonal shape. The density of the cutting nodes on each helical blade can be from 2 cutting nodes to 30 cutting nodes per inch of each helical blade. In embodiments, the diameter of each cutting node can be from ⅛ of an inch to 1 and a ½ inch. In additional embodiments, the cutting nodes can be elevated from a flush fit with the helical blade surface from 1/16 of an inch to ¾ of an inch. In additional embodiments, the cutting nodes can be mounted onto each helical blade at an angle. The mounting angle of each cutting node can range from 2 degrees to 35 degrees to the plane of each helical blade as each helical blade extends from the shaft.
The term “cutting inserts” as used herein can refer to the tungsten carbide cutting inserts installed adjacent to the plurality of cutting nodes on an outermost portion of each helical blade and parallel to the shaft. The shape of the cutting inserts can be circular, trapezoid, octagonal, square, or any other polygonal shape. The density of the cutting insert on each helical blade can be from 2 cutting inserts to 85 cutting inserts per inch of each helical blade. In embodiment, the diameter of each cutting insert can be from 1/32 of an inch to ¾ of an inch. In further embodiments, the cutting inserts can be elevated from a flush fit with the helical blade surface from 1/32 of an inch to ⅝ of an inch. In embodiments, the cutting inserts can be mounted onto each helical blade at an angle. The mounting angle of each cutting insert can range from 0.1 of a degree to 35 degrees to the plane of the helical blade as the helical blade extends from the shaft.
The term “center of eccentric rotation” as used herein can refer to a center of rotation that can be offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft, enabling the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer to form a larger wellbore than a drill bit diameter. The off-center rotation creates an elliptical reaming path that can be larger than the outer diameter for the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can be a one piece tool that can have a shaft with a longitudinal axis and an annulus formed longitudinally within the shaft configured for maximum fluid flow.
In embodiments, the longitudinal axis can be centralized. In additional embodiments, the annulus can also be centralized.
The first neck with a first neck diameter can be integrally connected to the first shaft portion. The first neck can have an outer diameter, such as from 2 inches to 24 inches. The first neck can have a shape that can be elliptical, concentric, or cylindrical.
In embodiments, the first neck diameter can be at least 10 percent less than the first diameter of the first shaft portion.
In embodiments, the first neck can form an increased flow area external to the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer for drilling fluid flowing out of the wellbore as the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer operates in the wellbore.
A plurality of reamer portions can be disposed on the shaft and can be integral with the shaft.
Each reamer portion can have a first helical blade extending radially from the shaft.
Each first helical blade can have a first thickness, such as from 0.25 of an inch to 13 inches.
In embodiments, the first helical blade can have a tapered shape with a base thickness adjacent the shaft, such as from 0.25 of an inch to 13 inches and then a middle thickness, such as from 0.5 of an inch to 14 inches and an end thickness on the blade opposite the shaft, such as from 0.25 of an inch to 13 inches.
Each reamer portion can have a second helical blade extending radially from the shaft.
In embodiments, the second helical blade can be identical to the first helical blade.
In additional embodiments, the second helical blade can have a thickness smaller than the first helical blade from 5 percent to 30 percent.
In embodiments, the second helical blade and the first helical blade can be made of a harder metal than the shaft. For example, the helical blades can be made of 4145 steel and the shaft can be made from 4140 steel. This two metal embodiment allows for two physical features of the reamer simultaneously.
Each helical blade can have a coating to increase the hardness of the helical blades. The coating can be a 1 millimeter to 2 millimeter layer of tungsten carbide. In embodiments, the coating can cover the entire helical blade or a portion of the helical blade.
Each reamer portion can comprise additional blades other than the first helical blade and the second helical blade as necessitated by a drilling application.
The shape of these blades can vary in shape and thickness and be any suitable shape as selected for a specific application.
In embodiments, the helical blades can be curved.
Each helical blade can have an inclination on each end, such as from 2 degrees to 15 degrees, from the shaft and a flattened cutting surface between each inclined end.
For example, in embodiments, the reamer portion can have a third helical blade and a fourth helical blade extending from the shaft. In further embodiments, the third helical blade can have the same thickness as the second helical blade and the fourth helical blade can have the same thickness as the first helical blade.
Each reamer portion can have a plurality of flutes formed between helical blades, additional blades, or combinations thereof.
In embodiments, two flutes can be formed between a pair of helical blades.
In embodiments, from 2 flutes to 30 flutes can be formed on any one reamer.
Each reamer portion can have a plurality of cutting nodes installed on at least one edge of each helical blade or additional blade.
In embodiments, the cutting nodes can be polycrystalline diamond compacts or any other suitable materials used for drilling wellbores.
Each reamer portion can have a plurality of cutting inserts installed adjacent the cutting nodes.
In embodiments, the cutting inserts can be tungsten carbide inserts, or other suitable materials used for drilling wellbores.
In embodiments, the cutting inserts can be in the shape of circles, rectangles, ellipses, or other suitable shapes as required by a specific application.
The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can have the second shaft portion with the second diameter in fluid communication with the first shaft portion and the first neck.
The annulus formed longitudinally allows fluid flow through the second shaft portion, the first shaft portion, and the first neck as well as each reamer portion of the plurality of reamer portions.
In embodiments, a second reamer portion can be disposed adjacent the second shaft portion in conjunction with a first reamer portion connected to the first shaft portion.
The second reamer portion can be formed from the shaft.
The second reamer portion can extend from the second shaft portion away from the first end of the shaft.
The second reamer portion can be substantially identical to the first reamer portion, or comprise a different structure.
In embodiments, the second reamer portion can have additional blades based upon the needs of a specific application.
The second reamer portion can have a plurality of flutes, wherein each flute can be formed between the helical blades, additional blades, or combinations thereof.
The second reamer portion can have a plurality of cutting nodes installed on at least one edge of each blade.
The second reamer portion can have a plurality of cutting inserts installed adjacent the cutting nodes.
The length ratio of the first reamer portion to the second reamer portion can range from 1:1 to 1:4.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can have a second neck integrally connected to the second reamer portion. The second neck can have a second neck diameter that can be less than the first diameter, forming a second flow area. In embodiments, the second neck diameter can be at least 10 percent less than the first diameter.
The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can have a third portion of the shaft. In embodiments, the third portion can have a third diameter, which can be the same diameter as the first diameter.
The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer shaft can have an eccentric rotational axis for the shaft enabling the bidirectional wellbore reaming device to form a larger wellbore than the drill bit diameter and a larger diameter wellbore than originally drilled.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can have a center of eccentric rotation which can be offset from a longitudinal axis of the dual eccentric reamer.
In embodiments, the first reamer portion can be rotationally offset from the second reamer portion such that the helical blades of the first reamer portion are offset from the helical blades of the second reamer portion. This arrangement can help balance the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer during use, as well as allow for the drilling of larger wellbores.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can have two reamer portions. In additional embodiments, it can be obvious to persons having ordinary skill in the art how to build a bidirectional dual eccentric reamer with multiple additional reamer portions.
To use the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer of the invention, one end of the drill string can engage the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer.
The other end of the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can engage a lower portion of the drill string, sandwiching the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer between two sections of the drill string.
In embodiments, the drill string can be run downhole.
Drilling fluid can be pumped down the annulus of the drill string and bidirectional dual eccentric reamer.
The drill string with bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can be rotated while drilling fluid can be pumped down the annulus of the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer.
The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can rotate about the eccentric axis and enlarge the drilling hole to receive larger completion equipment/liner/casing while simultaneously protecting measurement while drilling equipment can be attached to the drill string.
Turning now to the Figures,
The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer 10 can have a shaft 30 with a longitudinal axis 32, a first end 12, and a second end 16. The longitudinal axis 32 can be the axis of rotation of the shaft 30.
The shaft 30 can have an annulus for allowing fluid flow along the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer's longitudinal axis 32.
The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer 10 can have a first shaft portion 36, connected to a first neck 40. In embodiments, the first shaft portion 36 can have a first diameter 38 that can range from 2 inches to 9 inches.
The first neck 40 can be a narrowed portion of the shaft 30. The first neck can have a first neck diameter 42 which can be less than the first diameter 38. In embodiments, the first neck diameter 42 can be at least 10 percent less than the first diameter 38. In embodiments, the first neck 40 can have the first neck diameter 42 range from 3.5 inches to 7 inches.
The first neck 40 can have a shoulder at a 30 degree angle reducing the diameter of the shaft 30 for the first neck 40 from the first shaft portion 36.
The first neck 40 can be contiguous with a first reamer portion 44. The first reamer portion 44 can be connected to the first neck 40. The first neck 40 can range from 1 inch to 6 inches in length.
A second shaft portion 60 can connect to the first reamer portion 44. The second shaft portion 60 can have a second diameter 62 which can range from 2 inches to 9 inches.
A second reamer portion 64 can be connected to the second shaft portion 60.
The first reamer portion 44 can be contiguous with the second shaft portion 60.
The second shaft portion 60 can be contiguous with the second reamer portion 64.
The second reamer portion 64 can be substantially identical to the first reamer portion 44 in structure, or have a different structure, such as having two helical blades when the first reamer portion has four helical blades.
The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer 10 can be shown with a plurality of helical blades 46a, 50a and 50b with a plurality of flutes 54a and 54d between the helical blades are flutes.
In embodiments, the second reamer portion 60 can be rotationally offset in relation to the first reamer portion 44 such that the first helical blade 46a and the second helical blade 50a of the first reamer portion 44 are not aligned with the first helical blade and the second helical blade of the second reamer portion 64 respectively as viewed along the longitudinal axis 32 of the shaft 30.
The second reamer portion 64 can be contiguous with a second neck 67. The second neck 67 can have a second neck diameter 66 which can be less than the first diameter 38. In embodiments, the second neck diameter 66 can be at least 10 percent less than the first diameter 38. The second neck diameter 66 need not be the same as the first neck diameter 42.
The second neck 67 can be contiguous with a third shaft portion 68. In embodiments, the third shaft portion 68 can have a third diameter 72, which can be equivalent to the first diameter 38 of the first shaft portion 36.
The second neck 67 can connect to the second reamer portion 64. In embodiments, the second neck can have a second neck diameter 66 equivalent to the first neck diameter 42.
A third shaft portion 68 can be connected to the second neck 67.
The reamer portion is shown with a plurality of helical blades 46a, 46b, 50a and 50b.
In embodiments, helical blades 46a and 46b are shown as the same size and helical blades 50a and 50b are shown as the same size. In embodiments, the plurality of helical blades can have different thicknesses.
The plurality of flutes 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d are shown located between the plurality of helical blades.
The shaft 30 can have an annulus 34 for allowing fluid flow with a center of eccentric rotation 70, which can be proximate to the longitudinal axis 32.
As measured from the outer surface of the shaft 30, a second thickness 52 of the second helical blade 50a can be larger than a first thickness 48 of the first helical blade 46a. In embodiments, the first thickness 52 of the second helical blade 50a can be at least 30 percent greater than the second thickness 48 of the first helical blade 46a as measured from the outer surface of the shaft 30.
In embodiments, additional blades 46b and 50b can be disposed on the shaft.
The plurality of outer surfaces 59a, 59b, 59c, and 59d of the plurality of helical blades are viewed as defining a circle at any given cross section of the shaft 30 and the center of eccentric rotation 70.
The center of eccentric rotation 70 can be offset from the longitudinal axis 32 of the shaft 30, which can also be the axis of rotation of the shaft 30. This allows the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer to drill a larger bore than the actual bidirectional dual eccentric reamer diameter, as well as a larger diameter wellbore than originally drilled with a drill bit.
In this embodiment, a cutting node 56 is shown disposed on the second helical blade 50a.
In embodiments, the each blade of the plurality of helical blades can have cutting formed on the blades.
In this embodiment, a plurality of cutting nodes 56a and 56g are shown disposed on the second helical blade 50a.
Also attached to the surface of the helical blade 50a are a plurality of cutting inserts 58a and 58aa. While the plurality of cutting inserts 58a and 58aa are shown as circular in this Figure, alternate embodiments can make use of any suitable shape for the cutting inserts.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can have a first of the plurality of reamer portions disposed on the shaft aligned with a second of the plurality of reamer portions disposed on the shaft, wherein both reamer portions create identical cutting patterns and track each other.
In embodiments, the bidirectional dual eccentric reamer can have a second of the plurality of reamer portions disposed on the shaft rotated to be out of alignment from 0.1 of a degree to 45 degrees with a first of the plurality of reamer portions disposed on the shaft. The out of alignment reamer portions can create different cutting patterns for the same bidirectional dual eccentric reamer.
While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
The current application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/002,618 filed on May 23, 2014, entitled “BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL ECCENTRIC REAMER.” This reference is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3285678 | Garrett et al. | Nov 1966 | A |
| 3420323 | Owens | Jan 1969 | A |
| 3938853 | Jurgens et al. | Feb 1976 | A |
| 4231437 | Swersky et al. | Nov 1980 | A |
| 4385669 | Knutsen | May 1983 | A |
| 4467879 | Burge | Aug 1984 | A |
| 4610307 | Jurgens et al. | Sep 1986 | A |
| 4610316 | Boaz | Sep 1986 | A |
| 4874045 | Clayton | Oct 1989 | A |
| 6116356 | Doster et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 7650952 | Evans et al. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 8162081 | Ballard et al. | Apr 2012 | B2 |
| 8336645 | Robson et al. | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8607900 | Smith | Dec 2013 | B1 |
| 8752649 | Isenhour | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8851205 | Short et al. | Oct 2014 | B1 |
| 20120255786 | Isenhour | Oct 2012 | A1 |
| 20130180779 | Isenhour | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20140202770 | Zaki et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2013167954 | Nov 2013 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62002618 | May 2014 | US |
