Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for removing material from a wellbore. Particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a magnetic retrieval apparatus. Embodiments of the invention also relate to apparatus and methods of assembling a magnetic retrieval apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
Many operations in an oil or gas well often produce a variety of debris in the wellbore. For example, milling operations may produce metallic mill cuttings, which may not be completely removed by circulation of fluid in the wellbore. Also, bit cones, slips, tong pins, and hammers, or fragments thereof, can collect at the bottom of the wellbore.
Retrieval tools containing magnets have been used to retrieve the debris in the wellbore. One type of retrieval tool includes a plurality of magnets disposed on its exterior, and the magnets may be exposed to the wellbore environment surrounding the retrieval tool. The exposed magnets are subjected to physical damage or corrosion in the wellbore, and in some instances, may even be lost in the wellbore.
The handling of magnets during assembly of the retrieval tool raises safety concerns. Large, high strength magnets may be pulled out of the operator's hand by an adjacent magnet.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved retrieval tool for retrieving debris from the wellbore. There is also a need for apparatus and methods of assembling a retrieval tool.
In one embodiment, a downhole retrieval tool includes a mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnets coupled to the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnets, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnets are rotatable relative to the mandrel.
In another embodiment, a method of assembling a downhole retrieval tool includes providing an assembly tool having an anchor, a conveyance, and a holder; disposing an inner sleeve around a mandrel; coupling the anchor to the inner sleeve; using the holder to retain a magnet; operating the conveyance to move the magnet to a desired location on the inner sleeve; attaching the magnet to the inner sleeve; and moving the holder away from the magnet.
In another embodiment, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the “north” pole and the “south” pole of the magnet are oriented on either the left side or the right side of the magnet. For example, as shown in
The retrieval tool 100 may include a housing sleeve 25 disposed around the magnets 50 and the inner sleeve 30. The housing sleeve 25 may conformed to the contour of the retrieval tool 100 formed by the magnets 50 and the inner sleeve 30. In one example, the housing sleeve 25 may have an outer shape that is complementary to the outer shape of the magnets 50 on the inner sleeve 30. In this respect, the housing sleeve 25 includes valleys 29 that are aligned with the valleys 59 between adjacent columns of magnets 50.
A stabilizer 20 may be disposed at each end of the inner sleeve 30. Referring to
Assembly of the retrieval tool 100 will now be described.
In
In
The conveyance 220 is configured to extend or retract the holder 230. In one embodiment, the conveyance 220 is movable relative to the anchor 210. The conveyance 220 may be a rod 221 configured to mate with one or more couplers 223 attached to the collar 211. In one example, the rod 221 is threadedly coupled to the coupler 223. In this respect, rotation of the rod 221 will move the rod 221 relative to the collar 211. In one example, the coupler 223 is a nut, and three couplers 223 are used to couple the rod 221 to the collar 211. The rod 221 may be rotated manually or using a motor. In another example, gears may be used to move the conveyance 220 relative to the collar 211. In yet another embodiment, the rod 221 may be coupled to the coupler 223 using splines, and may be moved manually, or using a mechanical device such as a motor or a piston.
The holder 230 is coupled to and movable by the conveyance 220. The holder 230 includes two retaining arms 231 configured to retain a magnet between the arms 231. An optional guide member 233 may be disposed on the exterior of the arms 231. The guide member 233 is configured to prevent movement of the holder 230 toward an adjacent magnet. In one embodiment, the guide member 233 is sized to contact or nearly contact the adjacent magnet. The guide member 233 may be attached to the arm 231 using a pin, a screw, adhesive, or any suitable mechanism known to a person skilled in the art. The arms and/or the guide member may be made of a non-metallic material. In another embodiment, the guide member 233 may be integral with the arms 231. Any suitable releasable retainer may be used to couple the magnet to the holder 230. In one example, a pin 234 may be inserted through one of the arms 231 and the retainer bore 54 of the magnet 50.
In
In
Thereafter, the pin 234 is released from the magnet 50, and the holder 230 is retracted from the magnet 50.
To install another magnet, the collar 211 is released from the inner sleeve 30 by unlocking the locking device 213. Then, the collar 211 is rotated until the holder 230 is aligned with the next intended channel 32, and the locking device 213 is allowed to engage with the inner sleeve 30, as shown in
Thereafter, the inner sleeve 30 is released from the extension mandrel 110 by removing the fastener 112. The inner sleeve 30 is moved onto the mandrel 10 toward the stabilizer 20, as shown in
In
In one embodiment, a downhole retrieval tool includes a mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnets coupled to the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnets, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnets are rotatable relative to the mandrel.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the inner sleeve includes one or more channels for receiving the plurality of magnets.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, each magnet includes a “north” pole and a “south” pole,” wherein the north pole is disposed on the left side or the right side of the magnet and the south pole is disposed on the other side of the magnet.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a stabilizer coupled to each end of the inner sleeve.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a bearing disposed between the stabilizer and the mandrel.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a key and groove connection for coupling the inner sleeve to the stabilizer.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the stabilizer includes a valley aligned with a valley of the inner sleeve.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a spacer disposed between two adjacent magnets.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, at least one magnet includes a retainer bore to facilitate handling of the at least one magnet.
In another embodiment, a method of assembling a downhole retrieval tool includes providing an assembly tool having an anchor, a conveyance, and a holder; disposing an inner sleeve around a mandrel; coupling the anchor to the inner sleeve; using the holder to retain a magnet; operating the conveyance to move the magnet to a desired location on the inner sleeve; attaching the magnet to the inner sleeve; and moving the holder away from the magnet.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the method includes decoupling the anchor from the inner sleeve; repositioning the anchor; retaining a second magnet; and operating the conveyance to move the second magnet to another location on the inner sleeve.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the method includes repositioning the anchor by at least one of rotating the anchor relative to the inner sleeve and axially moving the anchor relative to the inner sleeve.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, coupling the anchor to the inner sleeve comprises inserting a locking device into an aperture of the inner sleeve.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the inner sleeve includes a slot for receiving the locking device.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the conveyance is coupled to the anchor using threads, and operating the conveyance comprises rotating the conveyance relative to the anchor.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, retaining the magnet comprises inserting a retainer into a retainer bore in the magnet.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the method includes providing the assembly tool with a guide member.
In another embodiment, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to and movable with the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a retainer for coupling with a retainer bore in the magnet.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the retainer is inserted through the arm of the magnet holder.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the anchor is tubular shaped and includes a retracting locking device for anchoring the assembly tool.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the conveyance is threadedly coupled to the anchor.
In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the tool includes a guide member attached to the arm.
In another embodiment, a method of assembling a downhole retrieval tool includes providing an assembly tool having an anchor, a conveyance, and a holder; disposing an inner sleeve around a mandrel; coupling anchor to the inner sleeve; using the holder to retain a magnet; operating the conveyance to move the magnet to a desired location on the inner sleeve; attaching the magnet to the inner sleeve; and moving the holder away from the magnet.
In another embodiment, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.
The features and mechanisms of each embodiment may be interchangeable with the other embodiments described herein. Additionally, while the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/900,206, filed Nov. 5, 2013, which patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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