Patent Application
20130220615
N/A.
1. The Field of the Invention
Implementations of the present invention relate generally to internal tubing cutters that may be used cut casing, drill rods, drill pipe, production tubing or other tubing.
2. The Relevant Technology
When drilling to retrieve hydrocarbons (e.g., oil and gas) boreholes are drilled into the earth. Often larger diameter pipe commonly referred to as casing is installed into the borehole and cemented in place. Thereafter, production tubing is often run into the borehole, concentrically inside the casing, in order to provide a conduit for the flow of the hydrocarbons from an underground reservoir to the earth's surface.
Once the hydrocarbons are depleted, the borehole is typically abandoned and the well site is restored to its original condition. Conventionally, surface equipment is removed from the borehole. Thereafter, as much production tubing and casing as possible is often retrieved from the borehole. The retrieved production tubing and casing is then often reused in other wells or sold for salvage. Because the production tubing, and particularly the cemented casing, can be lodged in place, casing cutters are frequently used to cut the tubing at a desired depth to allow removal.
In addition to the oil and gas industry, other drilling industries often employ casing cutters. For example, casing cutters are often used in core drilling and other drilling fields to cut tubing to allow retrieval of at least a portion of the tubing once drilling is completed. Also, casing cutters are often used in core drilling and other drilling fields to cut the rod string when it gets stuck in the bore hole.
Unfortunately, conventional casing cutters suffer from a number of drawbacks. In particular, conventional casing cutters typically include cutters that deploy by swinging outward from a central stored positioned. The swinging of the cutters can cause the cutting point to move as the cutters deploy. The movement of the cutting point can make the cutting action difficult as the drill string has to move up and down during the cutting action to accommodate for this movement.
In addition to the foregoing, the cutters on conventional casing cutters cut using a dragging cutting action (i.e., the cutters are dragged across the tubing as the casing cutter is rotated). Such dragging cutting action can lead to a relatively low cutting life, and the frequent replacement of the cutters. Furthermore, conventional casing cutters that include a swinging deployment often do not last long and are expensive.
Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages in conventional casing cutters that can be addressed.
One or more implementations of the present invention overcome one or more problems in the art with drilling tools, systems, and methods for effectively and efficiently cutting tubing. For example, one or more implementations of the present invention include an internal tubing cutter having cutters that deploy linearly outward. The linear deployment of the cutters helps reduce or eliminate movement of the cutting point during the cutting action. Accordingly, one or more implementations of the present invention can increase productivity and efficiency in casing cutters.
For example, one implementation of an internal tubing cutter includes a tubular body and at least one cartridge opening extending through the tubular body. Additionally, the internal tubing cutter includes a cutter cartridge at least partially positioned within the at least one cartridge opening. The cutter cartridge includes a cutter and at least one axially tapered ramp surface. The internal tubing cutter also includes an inner member configured to move relative to the cutter cartridge. At least one roller is positioned between the ramp surface and the inner member. Axial displacement of the inner member relative to the cutter cartridge causes the at least one roller to move along the ramp surface thereby linearly moving the cutter cartridge radially between a retracted position within the tubular body and a deployed position in which the cutter is at least partially radially outward of the tubular body.
Additionally, another implementation of an internal tubing cutting system includes a tubular body and a plurality of cartridge openings extending through the tubular body. The system further includes a plurality of cutter cartridges configured to hold one or more cutters. Each cutter cartridge is positioned in a cartridge opening of the plurality of cartridge openings. The system also includes an inner member and a plurality of rollers positioned between the cutter cartridges and the inner member. Each roller is positioned against a ramp surface. Movement of the inner member relative to the cutter cartridges causes the plurality of rollers to move along the ramp surface thereby linearly moving the plurality of cutter cartridges at least partially radially outward of the plurality of cartridge openings.
In addition to the foregoing, a method of cutting a tubular member involves lowering an internal tubing cutter into the tubular member. The method also involves pumping a fluid into the internal tubing cutter to cause an inner member to move axially within the tubing cutter. Axial movement of the inner member causes one or more rollers operatively associated with the inner member to move along a ramp surface of a cutter cartridge, thereby moving a cutter linearly at least partially outward of the internal tubing cutter. Additionally, the method involves rotating the internal tubing cutter relative to the tubular member thereby causing the cutter held within the cutter cartridge to cut the tubular member.
Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale, and that elements of similar structure or function are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Implementations of the present invention are directed toward drilling tools, systems, and methods for effectively and efficiently cutting tubing. For example, one or more implementations of the present invention include an internal tubing cutter having cutters that deploy linearly outward. The linear deployment of the cutters helps reduce or eliminate movement of the cutting point during the cutting action. Accordingly, one or more implementations of the present invention can increase productivity and efficiency in casing cutters.
Additionally, the linear deployment of the cutters can allow the same internal tubing cutter to cut tubing having a wide range of diameters. In addition the foregoing, the internal tubing cutters can employ circular disc blades. The circular disc blades can roll during the cutting action instead of dragging. The rolling of the circular disc blades can increase blade life and provide for faster and more efficient cutting.
More specifically, the internal tubing cutter can include a cutter cartridge that holds one or more cutters. An inner member, such as a piston, can move relative to the cutter cartridge to move the cutter cartridge linearly between a retracted position and a deployed position. More specifically, as the inner member moves relative to the cutter cartridge, one or more rollers operatively associated with the inner member can move along an axially tapered or angled ramp surface thereby moving the cutter cartridge radially between the retracted and deployed positions.
Referring now to the Figures,
The body 102 can be generally hollow and configured to house various components (e.g., inner member 104 and cutter cartridge(s) 106) of the internal tubing cutter 100. The body 102 can include an upper end 108 and a lower end 110. As used herein the terms “lower,” “down,” and “distal” refer to the end of the internal tubing cutter 100 closet to the to the bottom of the bore hole, whether the borehole be oriented horizontally, at an upward angle, or a downward angle relative to the horizontal. While the terms “upper,” “up,” or “proximal” refer to the end of the internal tubing cutter 100 closest to the opening of the borehole, whether the borehole be oriented horizontally, at an upward angle, or a downward angle relative to the horizontal.
The upper end 108 of the body 102 can include a connector for securing the internal tubing cutter 100 to a drill string component (e.g., a drill rod, adaptor). For example,
The body 102 can further include fluid flow passages 111. The fluid flow passages 111 can comprise channels that extend from the inner surface of the body 102 to the outer surface of the body 102. The fluid flow passages 111 can allow fluid to pass from the internal bore of the body 102 outside of the body 102.
The body 102 can additionally be configured to contain the inner member 104. As alluded to earlier, the inner member 104 can comprise one or more components that interact with the cutter cartridges 106 to move the cutter cartridges 106 linearly in and out of the body 102. The inner member 104 can comprise one or more components configured to move relative to the body 102. For example,
The inner wedge 112 and an outer wedge 114 can each be generally hollow. The inner member 104 can include or form part of a fluid valve system. For example,
As shown in
The inner member 104 can be moveably coupled within the body 102. For example,
One or more rollers 130 can be operatively associated with the inner member 104. For example,
As mentioned above, the internal tubing cutter 100 can include one or more cutter cartridges 106. The cutter cartridges 106 can be configured to house one or more cutters 134. For example, the cutter cartridges 106 can include a groove within which a cutter 134 can reside. The cutters 134 can comprise a sharp surface for cutting tubing. The cutters 134 can comprise steel, hard metals such as tool steel or tungsten carbide, other iron alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, or other suitable materials. Furthermore, the cutters 134 can comprise one or more coatings to improve the hardness or cutting ability thereof. Such coatings can include, by example and not limitation, a metal, such as iron, titanium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, lead, tungsten, aluminum, chromium, or combinations or alloys thereof, a ceramic material, such as SiC, SiO, Si02, or the like, diamonds, or other materials.
The cutters 134 can comprise disc blades, non-circular blades, or other cutters. For example,
Referring again to
The cutter cartridges 106 can move linearly in and out of the body 102 between a refracted position and a deployed position. For example, the body 102 can include cartridge openings 138 within which the cutter cartridges 106 can move. In one or more implementations, the cutter cartridges 106 and the cartridge openings 138 can each have corresponding diamond shapes as shown in
The cutter cartridges 106 can further include one or more ramp surfaces that interface with the rollers 130 to move the cutter cartridges 106 radially in and out of the body 102. For example,
As explained in greater detail below, as the inner member 104 move toward the cutter cartridges 106, the rollers 130 can move along the ramp surface 140 thereby forcing the cutter cartridges 106 to move radially outward in a linear line of travel. In one or more implementations, the upper ramp surface 140 and the lower ramp surface 142 can extend at the same angle relative to a central axis of the body 102. In other words, the upper ramp surface 140 and the lower ramp surface 142 can extend parallel to each other. In alternative implementations, the upper ramp surface 140 and the lower ramp surface 142 may extend at different angles relative to the central axis of the body 102.
The internal tubing cutter 100 can further include a return wedge 144. The return wedge 144 can include tapered surfaces 146 that form a recess therein. As explained in greater detail below the recess formed by the tapered surfaces 146 can accommodate for movement of the cutter cartridges 106. Furthermore, the return wedge 144 can include mounting grooves 148 extending into the tapered surfaces 146 that are configured to hold rollers 130a. The mounting grooves 148 can act as or include bushing that allow the rollers 130a to rotate relative to the return wedge 144 and the cutter cartridges 106. Roller 130a can be substantially similar to the rollers 130 described above.
As the inner member 104 moves toward the cutter cartridges 106, the rollers 130a can move along the ramp surface 142 thereby forcing the cutter cartridges 106 to move radially outward in a linear line of travel, similar to the rollers 130 and the ramp surface 140. In one or more implementations, the tapered surfaces 146 of the return wedge 144 can be parallel and offset from the lower ramp surfaces 142 of the cutter cartridges 106.
The return wedge 144 can be biased upward by a biasing member 150. In particular, the biasing member 150 can bias the return wedge 144 axially toward the cutter cartridges 106 and the inner member 106. The biasing of the return wedge 144 toward the cutter cartridges 106 can tend to force the roller 130a against lower ramp surfaces 142 of the cutter cartridges 106. Thus, the biasing member 150 can bias the cutter cartridges 106 radially inward. The biasing member 150 can comprise a mechanical (e.g., spring), magnetic, or other mechanism configured to bias the wedge return 144. For example,
Referring now to
As shown, when tripping the internal tubing cutter 100 into the drill string 200, the cutter cartridges 106 can be in the retracted position (i.e., within the body 102). In particular, the biasing member 150 can bias the wedge return 144 toward the cutter cartridges 106 and the upper end 108. The biasing of the wedge return 144 upward can cause the roller 130a to roll along the lower ramp surfaces 142 of the cutter cartridges 106 toward the upper end of the lower ramp surfaces 142; thereby drawing the cutter cartridges 106 into a radially retracted position as shown in
One will appreciate in light of the disclosure herein that the biasing of the wedge return 144 upward can also cause the inner member 104 to be biased into a first upward position. In particular, movement of the cutter cartridges 106 radially inward can cause the rollers 130 to roll or slide along the upper ramp surfaces 140 of the cutter cartridges toward an upper end of the upper ramp surfaces 140. This in turn pushes the inner member 104 upward toward the first end 108 of the body 102. As shown in
With the internal tubing cutter 100 in the retracted position as shown in
This distally directed fluid force can exert a force in opposition to the upward force created by the biasing member 150. As the distally directed fluid force increases it can overcome the upward force created by the biasing member 150. As the distally directed fluid force overcomes the upward force created by the biasing member 150, the inner member 104 in turn can exert a distally acting force that drives the rollers 130 against the upper ramp surfaces 140 of the cutter cartridges 106. Once forced downward against the upper ramp surfaces 140, the rollers 130 can roll or slide along the upper ramp surfaces 140 to the lower end of the upper ramp surfaces 140. This movement can force the cutter cartridges 106 to move linearly radially outward toward the casing 200 and into a deployed position as shown in
One will appreciate in light of the disclosure herein that the movement of the cutter cartridges 106 radially outward can also cause the wedge return 144 to move distally. In particular, movement of the cutter cartridges 106 radially outward can cause the rollers 130a to roll or slide along the lower ramp surfaces 142 of the cutter cartridges toward a lower end of the lower ramp surfaces 142. This in turn can cause the wedge return 144 to move distally toward the tail 152 and the second end 110 of the body 102. Downward movement of the wedge return 144 can compress the biasing member 150.
Thus, movement of the inner member 104 toward the cutter cartridges 106 can urge the cutting cartridges 106 radially outward through the cartridge openings 138 in the body 102. This movement can cause the cutters 134 to move radially outward in a linear motion and into engagement with the inner surface of the casing 200. The linear movement of the cutters 134 can help ensure that the cutting point (i.e., axial position of the cutters 134 relative to the casing 200) remains constant during the cutting process.
Furthermore, the ramp surfaces 140, 142 in conjunction with the rollers 130, 130a and the downward fluid force acting on the inner member 104 can bias the cutter cartridges 106 radially outward during a cutting process. Thus, the cutters 134 can be biased linearly outward against the inner surface of the casing 200 during a cutting process. One will appreciate in light of the disclosure herein that the rollers 130 above and rollers 130a below the cutter cartridges 106 can decrease friction, reduce the applied moment, and help prevent the cutter cartridges 106 from tipping over. The rollers 130 and ramps 140, 142 can eliminate or reduce sticking, seizing, and wear that are common with angled-key and slot or sliding ramp interaction.
During a cutting process, a drill rig can spin a rod string attached to the internal tubing cutter 100 as the cutters 134 are deployed. The cutting action can displace the casing material inside-out. Furthermore, the cutters 134 can rotate about two axes of rotation during the cutting process. In particular, the cutters 134 can rotate (i.e., orbit) about the central axis of the internal tubing cutter 100 as the internal tubing cutter 100 is rotated with the rod string. Furthermore, the cutters 134, when disc blades, can rotate about the pivot pins 136 extending through the central axis of the cutters 134. The rotation of the cutters 136 can decrease drag and heat due to friction and otherwise increase the efficiency of the cutting process and lead to longer cutting life.
Once the cutting process is complete (i.e., the cutters 134 have complete cut through the casing 200), the cutting cartridges 106 can be in a fully deployed position, as shown by
Furthermore, the drop in pressure can allow the upward biasing force created by the biasing member 150 to overcome the downward fluid force acting on the inner member 104. In particular, the biasing member 150 can bias the wedge return 144 toward the cutter cartridges 106 and the upper end 108. The biasing of the wedge return 144 upward can cause the rollers 130a to roll along the lower ramp surfaces 142 of the cutter cartridges 106 toward the upper end of the lower ramp surfaces 142; thereby drawing the cutter cartridges 106 into a radially retracted position as shown in
One will appreciate in light of the disclosure herein that the biasing of the wedge return 144 upward can also cause the inner member 104 to move upward. In particular, movement of the cutter cartridges 106 radially inward can cause the rollers 130 to roll or slide along the upper ramp surfaces 140 of the cutter cartridges 106 toward an upper end of the upper ramp surfaces 140. This in turn pushes the inner member 104 upward toward the first end 108 of the body 102.
For ease of reference, the cutter cartridges 106 shown and described above include generally planar ramp surfaces 140, 142 and spherical rollers 130, 130a. It will be appreciated that the cutter cartridges 106 can have any number of ramp surfaces 140, 142 with any desired shape, including, but not limited to, convex, concave, patterned or any other shape or configuration capable of moving along a roller (e.g., roller ball) as desired. Further, the rollers 130, 130a can have any shape and configuration possible. In at least one example, a universal-type joint can replace the generally spherical rollers, tapered planar drive surfaces, and accompanying sockets.
Additionally,
In other words, the foregoing and the following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the apparatus and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated apparatus and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques.
For example,
More specifically, the inner member 104a can comprise a single component rather than nested wedges. In particular, the inner member 104a can comprise a generally conical or tapered outer or ramp surface 141. As explained in greater detail below, axial translation of the inner member 104a can result in radial displacement of the cutter cartridges 106 in and out of the body as explained in greater detail below. The inner member 104a can house the valve stop 118. The valve stop 118 can mate with the inner surface of the inner member 104 to move a seal to create a downward directed fluid force on the inner member 104a. The rollers 130 can be positioned within bushings in the cutter cartridges 106 so as to allow the rollers 130 to roll and/or slide along the ramp surface 141 as the inner member 104a moves axially.
Referring to
With the internal tubing cutter 100a in the retracted position as shown in
This distally directed fluid force can exert a force in opposition to the upward force created by the biasing member 150. As the distally directed fluid force increases it can overcome the upward force created by the biasing member 150. As the distally directed fluid force overcomes the upward force created by the biasing member 150, the inner member 104a can move toward the lower end 110 of the body 102. As the inner member 104a moves downward, the rollers 130 can roll along the ramp surface 141 as it increases in diameter; thereby forcing the cutter cartridges 106 to move linearly radially outward toward a deployed position.
Thus, movement of the inner member 104a downward can urge the cutting cartridges 106 radially outward through the cartridge openings 138 in the body 102. This movement can cause the cutters 134 to move radially outward in a linear motion and into engagement with the inner surface of a casing. The linear movement of the cutters 134 can help ensure that the cutting point (i.e., axial position of the cutters 134 relative to the casing) remains constant during the cutting process.
As previously mentioned, in one or more implementations, the inner member 104a can include a taper such that the diameter of the inner member 104a varies along its length. This in combination with the downward directed fluid force can ensure that the cutter cartridges 106 are biased radially outward. Once the cutting process is complete (i.e., the cutters 134 have complete cut through the casing), the cutting cartridges 106 can be in a fully deployed position, as shown by
Furthermore, the drop in pressure can allow the upward biasing force created by the biasing member 150 to overcome the downward fluid force acting on the inner member 104a. In particular, the biasing member 150 can bias the wedge return 144 toward the cutter cartridges 106 and the upper end 108. The biasing of the wedge return 144 upward can cause the rollers 130a to roll along the lower ramp surfaces 142 of the cutter cartridges 106 toward the upper end of the lower ramp surfaces 142; thereby drawing the cutter cartridges 106 into a radially retracted position as shown in
One will appreciate in light of the disclosure herein that the biasing of the wedge return 144 upward can also cause the inner member 104a to move upward. In particular, movement of the cutter cartridges 106 radially inward can cause the rollers 130 to roll or slide along the ramp surface 141. This in turn pushes the inner member 104a upward toward the first end 108 of the body 102.
As shown in
It will be appreciated, however, that the drill rig 301 does not require a rotary drill head, a sled assembly, a slide frame or a drive assembly and that the drill rig 301 may include other suitable components. It will also be appreciated that the drilling system 300 does not require a drill rig and that the drilling system 300 may include other suitable components that may rotate rod string 302 and internal tubing cutter 100. For example, sonic, percussive, or down hole motors may be used.
As previously alluded to previously, numerous variations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description. Thus, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
