BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to drilling, and more particularly to an electromagnetic perforation device used in drilling.
The conventional design and construction of a wellbore is well known by those of skill in the art. Open hole portions are drilled into a reservoir formation, and a well casing or liner is run into the open hole portions and cemented in place in order to isolate the formation and stabilize the wellbore. One or more perforations are then created through the well casing into the reservoir formation to allow oil or gas to be removed through the well casing from the reservoir formation.
Traditionally, perforations through the well casing into the reservoir formation are created using perforating guns equipped with shaped explosive charges. A perforating gun may be lowered into the well casing on wireline, tubing, or coiled tubing to the location in the well casing where the perforations are desired. The shaped explosive charged on the perforating gun is then detonated, which produces an extremely high pressure jet that penetrates the well casing and the reservoir formation and allows the oil or gas in the reservoir formation to enter the well casing and be extracted from the reservoir formation. The use of explosive charges to create the perforations results in debris in the system, and carries with it all the dangers and costs associated with the shipping and handling of explosives.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved device for creating perforations in a well casing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a well.
FIG. 2a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a electromagnetic perforation device for use in the well of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 2a.
FIG. 2c is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 2a.
FIG. 2d is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 2a.
FIG. 3a is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for perforating a well casing.
FIG. 3b is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d positioned in the well of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d positioned in the well of FIG. 1 after perforating a well casing.
FIG. 3d is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d positioned in the well of FIG. 1 after perforating a well casing.
FIG. 3e is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d positioned in the well of FIG. 1 after perforating a longitudinal slot in the well casing.
FIG. 3f is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d positioned in the well of FIG. 1 after perforating a circumferential slot in the well casing.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a well casing perforated with a hole, a longitudinal slot, and a circumferential slot using the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a well casing used with the well of FIG. 1 and the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.
FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a well casing used in the well of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d positioned for welding in the well casing of FIG. 6a.
FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d joining sections of the well casing of FIG. 6a.
FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d having a moving stabilizing member.
FIG. 7b is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 7a.
FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 7a with the stabilizing member moved.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d having a modified stabilizing member.
FIG. 9a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d having a snorkel, a stabilizing member with a coil, and circumferential sealing members.
FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 9a.
FIG. 9c is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 9a and 9b.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d with a plurality of stabilizing members and coils.
FIG. 11a is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d with a radially positioned formation puncturing device.
FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d with a longitudinally positioned formation puncturing device.
FIG. 11c is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation devices of FIGS. 11a and 11b.
FIG. 11d is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 11a puncturing a formation through a perforation.
FIG. 11e is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the electromagnetic perforation device of FIG. 11b puncturing a formation through a perforation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring initially to FIG. 1, well 100 is illustrated. The well 100 includes a formation 102 having a surface 102a. A wellbore 104 is defined in the formation 102 and may be created by drilling and/or other techniques known in the art. A drilling station 106 that may include a derrick 106a and a drill floor 106b is located on the surface 102a of the formation 102 adjacent the wellbore 104 and may include drilling components and/or other components known in the art. A generally tubular well casing 108 that defines a casing passageway 108a is located in the wellbore 104 and may be cemented 108b into position against the formation 102 in a conventional manner. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the well casing 108 is fabricated from a material sufficiently conductive so as to permit a magnetic field to be generated therein. In a non-limiting example, in a preferred embodiment, casing 108 may be formed of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium or similar metallic material. A tool 110 may be positioned in the casing passageway 108a using a string 110a that extends from the drilling station 106. The illustration of the well 100 in FIG. 1 has been simplified for clarity of discussion, and one of skill in the art will recognize that features of the well 100 may be added, removed, and modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the well 100 may be based on a body of water such that the formation 102 is located beneath the body of water and the drilling station 106 is located above the body of water. In another example, the wellbore 104 may be in different orientations (e.g., horizontal, partially horizontal, etc) than illustrated in FIG. 1.
Referring now to FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, an electromagnetic perforation device or tool 200 is illustrated. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic perforation device 200 may be the tool 110 or part of the tool 110, described above with reference to FIG. 1, and may include other devices known in the art. For example, device 200 may be incorporated as part of a drill string, or positioned adjacent other tools. In another embodiment, the electromagnetic perforation device 200 is a standalone tool that may be lowered on coiled tubing, wireline, slickline or the like. The electromagnetic perforation device 200 includes a generally elongated cylindrical tool body or mandrel 202 having an outer surface 202a. Mandrel 202 may include an interior passageway 202b. A coil core 204 may extend from mandrel 202 and includes a distal end 204a. In an embodiment, the coil core 204 may be fabricated from a nonconductive material with strong mechanical strength such as, for example, a ceramic material, while in another embodiment, the coil core 204 may be fabricated of a conductive or semi-conductive material. In an embodiment, the coil core 204 has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular, solid cross-section, while in another embodiment, coil core 204 is tubular. In an embodiment, the coil core 204 may include a variety of shapes such as, for example, a standard coil shape, a helical shape, and/or a variety of other shapes known in the art. A coil 206 is located on the coil core 204 and, in the illustrated embodiment, extends along the coil core 204 to the distal end 204a of the coil core 204. In an embodiment, the coil 206 may include a single coil or a plurality of coils. In an embodiment, the coil 206 may have one turn or a plurality of turns. In an embodiment, the coil 206 is mounted to the coil core 204 in a manner that substantially prevents movement of the coil 206 relative to the coil core 204 or the mandrel 202. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that mandrel 202 may be of any shape or size so long as it forms a base for carrying the electromagnetic elements as described herein.
Referring now to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the coil 206 is electrically coupled to a current supply device 208. In an embodiment, the current supply device 208 may be located in the mandrel 202 or carried by an adjacent mandrel. In an embodiment, the current supply device 208 may be located adjacent the surface (e.g., at the drilling station 106, described with reference to FIG. 1) and coupled to the coil 206 using methods known in the art such as conductors. In an embodiment, the current supply device 208 may be a capacitor, a plurality of capacitors, a capacitor bank, one or more ultracapacitors such as, for example, electric double-layer capacitors or electrochemical capacitors, and/or a variety of other devices known in the art that are operable to rapidly discharge to produce a rapidly changing magnetic field in coil 206. The current supply device 208 is coupled to a power supply 210. In an embodiment, the power supply 210 may be located in the mandrel 202 (not shown) or carried by an adjacent mandrel. In an embodiment, the power supply 210 may be located adjacent the surface (e.g., at the drilling station 106, described with reference to FIG. 1) and coupled to the current supply device 208 using methods known in the art such as conductors. In an embodiment, the power supply 210 may include a battery or a plurality of batteries. A stabilizing member 212 extends from the mandrel 202 and includes a distal end 212a. In the illustrated embodiment, the stabilizing member 212 is located on an opposite side of the mandrel 202 from the coil 206. While the illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a stabilizing member 212, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a stabilizing member is not necessary to practice the invention. Rather, mandrel 202 can be positioned to abut the casing opposite the coil core 204 to provide stabilization using, for example, a variety of extensions known in the art that extend out to engage the casing 108. While the particular current, voltage and frequency requirements for a particular application will vary depending on the parameters of the application, such as for example, casing thickness, in one embodiment, the coil may be excited with a large current (e.g. 100 KA or more) at a high-voltage (for instance, 10 kV), and a high-frequency (e.g., 30 kHz or more) half sine wave pulses.
A plurality of sealing members 214 may be employed to seal off a work zone. In such embodiments, seal members 214 are located adjacent the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202 and about the circumference of the mandrel 202 in a spaced apart orientation from each other such that the coil core 204, the coil 206 and the stabilizing member 212 are located on the mandrel 202 between two of the sealing members 214. In an embodiment, the stabilizing member 212 may not be located between two of the sealing members 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal members 214 are packers that are operable to expand such that they may extend from the mandrel 202 and provide a seal between the mandrel 202 and a well casing. As such, the sealing members 214 are coupled to a sealing member actuator 216 that is operable to expand the packers by methods known in the art. However, while the sealing members 214 have been illustrated and described as packers, the sealing members 214 may also include snorkels, sealing pads, and/or a variety of other sealing members known in the art that may be used to seal the wellbore around the coil 206. For example, the coil 206 may be disposed on a snorkel that extends into engagement with the casing 108, with a sealing member disposed around the circumference of the coil 206 to seal against the casing 108, as described in further detail below.
A fluid evacuator 218 carried by the mandrel 202 and is operable to remove a fluid from the annulus formed between the sealing members 214, the mandrel 202, and the well casing. In another embodiment, a fluid evacuator 218 may be coupled to a snorkel and operable to remove a fluid from a volume located within a seal formed by a sealing pad and the casing 108, as described in further detail below. In an embodiment, the fluid evacuator 218 includes a pump. One or more sensors carried by the mandrel 220 and operable to monitor and/or detect a variety of conditions such as, for example, temperature, pressure, position of the mandrel 202 relative to a well casing, presence of a well casing, and/or a variety of other conditions known in the art. A control system (not illustrated) may be coupled to the current supply device 208, the power supply 210, the sealing member actuator 216, the fluid evacuator 218, and the sensors 220. In an embodiment, the control system may be carried by the mandrel 202 and actuated locally or from the drilling station 106 using methods known in the art (e.g., a wire or wireless connection). In an embodiment, the control system may be located at the drilling station 106 and coupled to the current supply device 208, the power supply 210, the sealing member actuator 216, the fluid evacuator 218, and the sensors 220 using methods known in the art (e.g., a wire or wireless connection). In an embodiment, one or more components of the device 200 and the drilling system described below may be coupled together through conductors or other means that run through the casing passageway 108a and/or the device passageway 202b. The control system may include a central processing unit (CPU), other microprocessors, random access memory (RAM), secondary memory, drive controllers, and the like.
Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a method 300 for perforating a well casing is illustrated. The method 300 begins at block 302 where a well casing is provided. In an embodiment, the well casing 108, described above with reference to FIG. 1, is provided located in the wellbore 104 defined by the formation 102. As noted above, the well casing 108, or at least the portion of the well casing 108 to be bored, is formed using a conductive material. The method 300 then proceeds to block 304 where a coil is positioned adjacent a conductive portion of the well casing. In an embodiment, the tool 110 may include only the electromagnetic perforation device 200, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and may be lowered on the string 110a from the drill station 106 and into the casing passageway 108a that is defined by the well casing 108, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the tool 110 may include the electromagnetic perforation device 200 and at least one other device known in the art of drilling. With the electromagnetic perforation device 200 positioned in the casing passageway 108a, the coil 206 is positioned adjacent the portion of the well casing 108 to be bored.
As will be described in more detail below, the coil core 204 may be fixed relative to mandrel 202 or mounted so as to move relative to mandrel 202, such as, for example, by radial extension from mandrel 202, thereby permitting coil 206 to be finely positioned adjacent the casing 108.
The method 300 then proceeds to block 306 where a sealed volume that includes the coil is provided and that sealed volume is evacuated of fluids. With the electromagnetic perforation device 200 located in the casing passageway 108a, the sealing member actuator 216 is activated to cause the sealing members 214 to engage the well casing 108, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, in order to provide a sealed volume 306a that is located between the sealing members 214, the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202, and the well casing 108, and that houses the coil 206. The fluid evacuator 218 is then activated to evacuate fluid from the sealed volume 306a. The method 300 then proceeds to block 308 where the position of the coil relative to the casing 108 is stabilized. The stabilizing member 212 is engaged with the well casing 108. In an embodiment, the engagement of the stabilizing member 212 and/or the sealing members 214 with the well casing 108 holds the coil 206 and/or the distal end 204a of the coil core 204 adjacent to and spaced apart from the well casing 108. In an embodiment, the coil 206 and/or the distal end 204a of the coil core 204 are held a distance from the well casing 108 that is on the order of millimeters. In an embodiment, the distance between the coil 206 and/or the distal end 204a of the coil core 204 from the well casing 108 is less than 1 millimeter. In an embodiment, the sensors 220 may be used to determine the relative position of the mandrel 202 and/or the coil 206 with respect to the well casing 108 in order to properly position the coil 206 relative to the well casing 108. In an embodiment, the stabilizing member 212 will counteract any force that attempts to move the coil 206 away from the well casing 108 during actuation of device 200.
Referring now to FIGS. 3a, 3c, 3d, and 4, the method 300 then proceeds to block 310 where a current is provided to the coil to perforate the well casing. In an embodiment, the power supply 210 is used to power the current supply device 208, and the current supply device 208 is actuated to rapidly provide a current to the coil 206. In one example, the current supply device 208 may be a capacitor bank, and the power supply 210 may be used to charge the capacitor bank, which is then actuated to rapidly discharge through the coil 206 by triggering a switch such as, for examples, an ignitron or a spark gap. Preferably, in an embodiment, the current supply device 208 rapidly discharges as is well known in the art. In another example, short current pulses can be generated by a bank of capacitor and avalanche transistor sets connected in series. In such a system, the capacitors may be fully charged. A trigger signal is then sent to the first stage transistor to make it avalanche, and the discharging circuit of the first stage capacitor will be connected. The discharge of the capacitor will generate a short pulse. The voltage of the pulse will be proportional to the voltage charged on the capacitor, and the time duration of the pulse or the pulse width will be determined by the properties of the transistor and the related resistors. The pulse width may be adjusted to picoseconds, nanoseconds, or microseconds by selecting different types of avalanche transistors and related resistors. The short pulse from the first stage transistor will then trigger the second stage transistor and cause it to avalanche and make the second stage capacitor discharge, generating the second stage short pulse. The width of the second stage pulse will be almost the same as that of the first stage pulse if the same type of transistor is used, but the resulting voltage will be the sum of the two stages. The second stage pulse will then trigger the third stage, the third stage will trigger the forth stage, and so on. As such, the stages may be chosen in order to generate a voltage of a desired value. In another embodiment, a direct source of high current may be provided to the coil 206 from the drill station 106. In an embodiment, the current is greater than 200 amps.
Rapid discharge of the current through the coil 206 creates a electromagnetic field in coil 206 and simultaneously induces an eddy current in the well casing 108 due to the conductivity of the well casing 108. The eddy current creates a magnetic field in the well casing 108. Pursuant to Lenz's Law, the electromagnetic field from the coil 206 and the magnetic field in the well casing 108 will strongly repel each other. Since stabilizing member 212 prevents movement of the coil 206 away from the well casing 108, the force from these opposing electromagnetic fields is directed against the well casing 108 away from the coil 206. In an embodiment, this force is sufficient to overcome the yield strength of the well casing 108 to create a perforation 410 in the well casing 108, thereby creating a perforation 401 in the well casing, as illustrated in FIGS. 3c, 3d, and 4. In an embodiment, the rapid current discharge through the coil 206 may be repeated a plurality of times to overcome the yield strength of the well casing 108 and create the perforation 401. In an embodiment, the rapid current discharge through the coil 206 may be repeated at a frequency that is chosen to match the intrinsic frequency of the material from which the well casing 108 is fabricated in order to overcome the yield strength of the well casing 108 and create the perforation 401. In an embodiment, the creation of the perforation 401 causes the portion of material from the well casing 108 to which the force is applied to separate from the well casing 108, penetrate the cement that holds the well casing 108 in the wellbore 104, and enter the formation 102 such that connectivity between the casing passageway 108a and the formation 102 is provided and oil or gas may be removed from the formation as is well known in the art. In an embodiment, ferrites, sleeves, and/or other materials and structures may be used to focus the electromagnetic field generated by the coil 206 to control the direction of the perforation 401 or to provide a desired perforation pattern. In an embodiment, different magnetic field shapes may be used based on the material from which the well casing is fabricated from. Thus, a device 200 has been described that may be operated to perforate a well casing without the dangers associated with conventional explosive techniques. The device 200 is operable more quickly than conventional laser cutting techniques known in the art and does not result in the burrs or other imperfections that are produced in conventional metal cutting techniques.
Referring now to FIGS. 3e, 3f, and 4, the block 310 of the method 300 may be modified to create a slot in the well casing 108. In an embodiment, the mandrel 202 may be moved along a direction A, illustrated in FIG. 3b, during and/or between the rapid discharge of current from the current discharge device 208 to the coil 206 in order to create a perforation 402 in the well casing 108 that has the shape of a longitudinal slot, as illustrated in FIGS. 3e and 4. In another embodiment, the mandrel 202 may be rotated along an arc B, illustrated in FIG. 3b, during and/or between the rapid discharge of current from the current discharge device 208 to the coil 206 in order to create a perforation 404 in the well casing 108 that has the shape of a circumferential slot, as illustrated in FIGS. 3f and 4. One of skill in the art will recognize that a plurality of perforations, whether holes, slots, and other cut-outs, may be created in the well casing 108 that have different shapes and orientations by moving the mandrel 202 in combinations of the directions discussed above. Alternatively, core 204 itself may be shaped to form such perforations. For example, core 204 may be elongated or partially ring shaped.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a well casing 500 is illustrated that is substantially similar in structure and operation to the well casing 108 described above with reference to FIG. 1, with the provision of a plurality of perforating sections 502, 504, and 506a and 506b that allow the electromagnetic perforation device 200 to create perforations in the well casing 500 using the method 300 discussed above. In an embodiment, the perforation section 502 includes a section of the wall of well casing 500 that is thinner than the remainder of the well casing 500 and thus requires less force to create the perforation in the well casing 500 using the electromagnetic perforation device 200. In an embodiment, the perforation section 504 includes a section of the wall of the well casing 500 that is fabricated from a different material than the majority of the well casing 500, the material in section 504 being chosen because it is more susceptible to the generation of larger eddy currents than the majority of the well casing 108 and/or requires less force to create the perforation in the well casing 500 using the electromagnetic perforation device 200. In an embodiment, the perforation section 506 includes a section of the wall of the well casing 500 that is fabricated from a plurality of different materials, at least one of those materials being different than the majority of the well casing 500, and those materials are chosen because at least one of them are more susceptible to the generation of larger eddy currents than the majority of the well casing 108 and/or require less force to create the perforation in the well casing 500 using the electromagnetic perforation device 200. Thus, the well casing 108 may be constructed to allow the method 300 to be used to more easily utilize the device 200 to perforate a well casing.
Referring now to FIG. 6a, a well casing 600 that may be used with the electromagnetic perforation device 200 is illustrated. The well casing 600 includes at least two casing sections 602 and 604. The casing section 602 defines a casing passageway 602a and includes a coupling portion 602b. Coupling portion 602b may be configured for joining as will be described herein. For example, coupling portion 602b may define a plurality of coupling grooves 602c on an inner surface of the casing section 602 that is adjacent the casing passageway 602a. The casing section 604 defines a casing passageway 604a and includes a narrowed portion 604b that reduces the casing section 604 in diameter down to a coupling portion 604c. Coupling portion 602b may be configured for joining, as will be described herein, under application of a joining force. The well casing 600 may be provided in the wellbore 104 defined by the formation 102 as illustrated, with the coupling portion 604c of the casing section 604 located in the casing passageway 602a of the casing section 602, and an outer surface of the casing section 604a located immediately adjacent an inner surface of coupling portion 602b of the casing section 602. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic perforation device 200 may be used according to the method 300 with a modified block 310 in order to join the casing section 602 and 604. The method 300 may proceed through blocks 302, 304, 306, and 308 substantially as discussed above such that the electromagnetic perforation device 200 is positioned in the casing passageways 602a and 604a, with the coil 206 located adjacent the coupling portion 604c of the casing section 604 and stabilized in position with the stabilizing member 212, as illustrated in FIG. 6b. At block 310, current then may be provided to the coil 206. However, in a modification from block 310 discussed above, the current provided to the coil 206 may be selected not to perforate the well casing 108 as described above, but rather to deform the well casing 600 in order to join the casing sections 602 and 604. As illustrated in FIG. 6c, the current supplied to the coil 206 may be chosen such that the force created by the magnetic field interactions deforms the coupling section 604c of the casing section 604 into coupling portion 602b of the casing section 602. Coupling section 602c is then deformed or reshaped by high intensity pulsed magnetic fields that induce a current in section 602c and a corresponding repulsive magnetic field in the coil that rapidly repels section 602c. In one embodiment, coupling grooves 602c enhance such coupling. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the respective coupling surfaces may be treated with other materials, shaped, or formed of other materials to enhance coupling under application of a force as described herein. Application of the electromagnetic force will cause the respective sections to bond with each other at a molecular or atomic level, thereby forming a “weld” between the sections. One of skill in the art will recognize that, by performing this action about the circumference of the coupling sections 602b and 604c (e.g., by rotating the mandrel 202 as discussed above), the coupling section 602b and the coupling section 604c may be joined together. Thus, device 200 functions as an electromagnetic coupling tool in this application. Such a drilling system would comprise a formation defining a wellbore; a first tubular section having a first diameter; a second tubular section having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, wherein a portion of the second tubular section is disposed within the first tubular section to form a joining zone; a current supply device; a power supply coupled to the current supply device; and an electromagnetic perforation device disposed adjacent the joining zone, said electromagnetic perforation device comprising: a mandrel; a coil core carried by said mandrel, said coil core having a distal end and a proximal end; a coil disposed on the coil core and coupled to said current supply device; wherein the current supply device is operable to supply a current to the coil to created an electromagnetic field therein. At least a portion of said second tubular member forming the joining zone is electrically conductive. Likewise, a method for joining tubular casing sections comprises the steps of providing a first tubular section having a first diameter; providing a second tubular section having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; disposing a portion of the second tubular section within the first tubular section to form a joining zone; and utilizing an electromagnetic force to join said tubular sections to one another in the joining zone. The method may further include the steps of positioning a coil adjacent the second tubular in the joining zone, wherein the second tubular adjacent the coil is electrically conductive; stabilizing the position of the coil relative to at least one of the tubulars; and applying an electromagnetic force to the second tubular in the joining zone. The method may further include the steps of deforming said second tubular so as to engage with said first tubular in the joining zone.
Referring now to FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c, an electromagnetic perforation device 700 is illustrated that is substantially similar in structure and operation to the electromagnetic perforation device 200, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, with the provision of a moveable stabilizing member 212. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic perforation device 700 includes the stabilizing member 212 moveably coupled to the mandrel 202 and coupled to a stabilizing member actuator 702. In operation, the stabilizing member actuator 702 may be actuated in order to move the stabilizing member 212 in a direction C, illustrated in FIG. 7a, such that the stabilizing member 212 is extended from the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202, as illustrated in FIG. 7c. Moving the stabilizing member 212 as discussed above may provide a number of benefits such as, for example, the functionality to adjust the position of the coil 206 relative to the well casing 108. While the stabilizing member actuator 702 has been illustrated as a cam member that moves the stabilizing member 212, which was already extending from the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202, to a further extension from the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202, the disclosure is not so limited. Any actuation method may be used to move the stabilizing member 212 relative to the mandrel 202. Furthermore, the stabilizing member 212 may be operable to fully retract into the mandrel 202 such that the stabilizing member 212 is flush with or recessed into the mandrel 202. Furthermore, a similar actuation member may be coupled to the mandrel 202, the coil core 204, and the coil 206 to allow the coil core 204 and coil 206 to be extended further from the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202, retracted into the mandrel 202 such that it is flush with or recessed into the mandrel 202, and or positioned relative to the mandrel 202 in a variety of other positions. The ability to move the stabilizing member 212 and the coil core 204/coil 206 relative to the mandrel 202 (e.g., flush with or recessed into the mandrel 202) allows the electromagnetic perforation device 700 to be lowered into the casing passageway 108a on the well casing 108 without danger of damaging the stabilizing member 212 or coil core 204 and coil 206 on the well casing 108 or other features that could cause damage to the electromagnetic perforation device 700.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a electromagnetic perforation device 800 is illustrated that is substantially the same in structure and operation to the electromagnetic perforation device 200, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, with the provision of a modified stabilizing member 212. In an embodiment, the stabilizing member 212 includes a well casing engagement member 802. In the illustrated embodiment, the well casing engagement member 802 is a ball and socket that is located on the distal end of the stabilizing member 212 and is operable to engage the well casing 108 and allow movement of the electromagnetic perforation device 800 relative to the well casing while still allowing the stabilizing member 212 to stabilize the coil 206 relative to the well casing 108. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that a variety of other structures may be used other than a ball and socket that will provide similar functionality. Furthermore, the well casing engagement member 802 may include a drive system (not illustrated) that drives the well casing engagement member 802 to rotate and, through its engagement with the well casing 108, move the device casing 202 relative to the well casing 108 as discussed above.
Referring now to FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 9c, a electromagnetic perforation device 900 is illustrated that is substantially the same in structure and operation to the electromagnetic perforation device 200, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, with the provision of a modified coil core 902 replacing the coil core 204, a modified stabilizing member 904 replacing the stabilizing member 212, and modified sealing members 206 replacing the sealing members 214. In an embodiment, the coil core 902 is a snorkel that includes a distal end 602a and that is operable to move relative to the mandrel 202 such that the distance between the distal end 602a and the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202 may be adjusted. A coil 902b is located on the coil core 902 and, in the illustrated embodiment, extends along the coil core 902 from the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202 to the distal end 902a of the coil core 902. The coil 902b is coupled to the current supply device 208. In an embodiment, the coil 902b may be substantially similar to the coil 206, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and may operable in a substantially similar manner as described above for the coil 206. The stabilizing member 904 includes a distal end 904a and, in an embodiment, may be substantially similar to the coil core 204, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. A coil 904b is located on the coil core 904 and, in the illustrated embodiment, extends along the coil core 904 from the outer surface 202a of the mandrel 202 to the distal end 904a of the coil core 904. The coil 904b is coupled to the current supply device 208. In an embodiment, the coil 904b may be substantially similar to the coil 206, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and may operable in a substantially similar manner as described above for the coil 206. The sealing members 906 surround each coil core 902 and 904 circumferentially. In operation, the sealing member 906 may be activated to engage the casing 108, as discussed above, and the fluid within the circumference of the sealing member 906 may be evacuated using the snorkel 902. The snorkel 902 may then be extended from the mandrel 202 until it engages or is located immediately adjacent the casing 108, and a perforation may be made in the casing 108 as discussed above. The snorkel 902 may then be used to sample fluid in the formation 102. Furthermore, the sealing member 906 adjacent the coil core 904 may operate substantially the same as the sealing member 906 adjacent the snorkel 902, and the current supply device 208 may supply current to each of the coils 902b and 904b at the same time in order to provide multiple perforations in the well casing. In another embodiment, the current supply device 208 may supply current to the coil 902b while the stabilizing member 904 stabilizes the position of the coil 902b relative to the well casing 108, as described above, and then the current supply device 208 may supply current to the coil 904b while the snorkel 902 stabilizes the position of the coil 904b relative to the well casing 108 in a substantially similar manner.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a electromagnetic perforation device 1000 is illustrated that is substantially the same in structure and operation to the electromagnetic perforation device 200, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, with the provision of plurality of stabilizing members 1002 each having a distal end 1002a and each including a coil 1004. While the plurality of stabilizing members 1002 and coils 1004 have been illustrated as spaced apart radially about the circumference of the mandrel 202, one of skill in the art will recognize that a variety of configurations of the plurality of stabilizing members 1002 and coils 1004 may be provided (e.g., spaced apart longitudinally along the mandrel 202) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In operation, any of the stabilizing members 1002 (or the coil core 204) may be used to stabilize other coils 206 or 1004 relative to the well casing 108 to perforate the well casing 108. Furthermore, multiple perforations may be created in the well casing 108 by supplying current to multiple coils 206 and/or 1004. Also, each of the stabilizing members 1002 and the coil core 204 may be moveable relative to the mandrel 202, as described above with reference to FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c, and may be used to provide fine tuning of the position of any of the coils 206 and 1004.
Referring now to FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e, a electromagnetic perforation device 1100 is illustrated that is substantially similar in structure and operation to the electromagnetic perforation device 200, described above with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, with the provision of a formation puncturing device 1102 or 1104. FIG. 11a illustrates the electromagnetic perforation device 1100 with the formation puncturing device 1102 circumferentially spaced apart from the coil 206. FIG. 11b illustrates the electromagnetic perforation device 1100 with the formation puncturing device 1102 longitudinally spaced apart from the coil 206. In an embodiment, the formation puncturing device 1100 may include, for example, a water jet or other formation puncturing device known in the art. In operation, the electromagnetic perforation device 1100 operates according to the method 300, discussed above. After the well casing 108 is perforated in block 310 of the method 300, the mandrel 202 is moved such that the formation puncturing device 1102 or 1104 is positioned adjacent the perforation 310a and the formation puncturing device 1102 or 1104 is then activated such that the formation 102 is punctured to provide connectivity 1106 between the casing passageway 108a and the formation 102, as illustrated in FIGS. 11d and 11e. The formation puncturing devices 1102 and/or 1104 may be desirable when the perforations created by the electromagnetic perforation device 1100 do not provide proper connectivity between the formation 102 and the casing passageway 108a such that oil or gas can be removed from the formation 102. Thus, a electromagnetic perforation device has been described that allows a well casing to be perforated quickly and precisely without the need for explosives that can introduce debris in the system and increase the danger in operating the system.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the above described system and method have been described for use in a wellbore, it can be utilized to perforate or joint other types of tubulars within the scope of the invention. Likewise, although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.
Patent Grant
9371718
