U.S. patent application number 16/566447 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-02 for extended reach tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to COIL SOLUTIONS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is COIL SOLUTIONS, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert KLETZEL.
Application Number | 20200003020 16/566447 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64014533 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-02 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200003020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KLETZEL; Robert |
January 2, 2020 |
EXTENDED REACH TOOL
Abstract
An extended reach tool includes two or more separate flow paths,
wherein each of the flow paths has multiple hollow chambers
connected in series. Each of the hollow chambers includes a first
constricted chamber with a fluid entry, a first expansion chamber
located adjacent to the lower end of the first constricted chamber,
and a second constricted chamber with the upper end of connected to
the lower end of the first expansion chamber. A separate second
expansion chamber is connected to the lower end of a plurality of
the second constricted chambers. A single port is located adjacent
to the lower end of the second expansion chamber.
Inventors: |
KLETZEL; Robert; (Medicine
Hat, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COIL SOLUTIONS, INC. |
Alice |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
COIL SOLUTIONS, INC.
ALICE
TX
|
Family ID: |
64014533 |
Appl. No.: |
16/566447 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15970691 |
May 3, 2018 |
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16566447 |
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62500870 |
May 3, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 31/005 20130101;
E21B 28/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 31/00 20060101
E21B031/00 |
Claims
1. An extended reach tool configured to be coupled to at least one
of a bottom hole assembly, a tubing, and of a motor, the extended
reach tool comprising: at least two separate flow paths extending
through the extended reach tool, wherein each flow path of the at
least two separate flow paths includes: a first constricted chamber
with an upper end and a lower end spaced apart from the upper end
of the first constricted chamber, the first constricted chamber
including a first constricted chamber diameter; a first expansion
chamber with an upper end and a lower end spaced apart from the
upper end of the first expansion chamber, the first expansion
chamber including a first expansion chamber diameter, wherein the
first expansion chamber diameter is greater than the first
constricted chamber diameter; a second constricted chamber with an
upper end and a lower end spaced apart from the upper end of the
second constricted chamber, the second constricted chamber
including a second constricted chamber diameter, wherein the first
expansion chamber diameter is greater than the second constricted
chamber diameter; and, a second expansion chamber with a top end
and a bottom end spaced apart from the top end, wherein the top end
of the second expansion chamber is fluidly coupled to the lower end
of the second constricted chamber of each of the at least two
separate flow paths.
2. The extended reach tool of claim 1, further comprising a single
port located proximate to the bottom end of the second expansion
chamber.
3. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein the single port is
one of a) a hollow-cylinder and b) a hollow-conical structure with
a first width proximate the second expansion chamber and a second
width spaced apart from the first width, wherein the first width is
smaller than the second width.
4. The extended reach tool of claim 1, further comprising at least
one of a) a top side with a threaded box configured to receive a
threaded pin of the bottom hole assembly and b) a bottom end with a
threaded pin wherein the threaded pin is configured to be received
in a threaded box of one of the tubing and the motor.
5. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein each of the at least
two separate flow paths are configured such that when a fluid flows
through the extended reach tool the fluid flows sequentially
through the first constricted chamber, the first expansion chamber,
the second constricted chamber, and the second expansion
chamber.
6. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein the first
constricted chamber and the first expansion chamber are configured
such that when a fluid flows through the extended reach tool the
fluid flow becomes turbulent upon entering the first expansion
chamber from the first constricted chamber.
7. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein the first expansion
chamber and the second constricted chamber are configured such that
when a fluid flows through the extended reach tool a portion of the
fluid flow within the first expansion chamber becomes turbulent as
another portion of the fluid flow exits the first expansion chamber
and enters the second constricted chamber.
8. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein the first
constricted chamber, the first expansion chamber, and the second
constricted chamber are configured such that when a fluid flows
through the extended reach tool a portion of the fluid within the
first expansion chamber becomes turbulent and propagates through
the first expansion chamber.
9. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of
at least one of the first constricted chamber, the first expansion
chamber, and the second constricted chamber of at least one of the
at least two separate flow paths, and the second expansion chamber
is one of a columnar hollow shape, a rectangular shape, a square
shape, a triangular shape, a rhomboidal shape, an elliptical shape,
and a circular shape.
10. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional
area of the second expansion chamber decreases from the top end to
the bottom end of the second expansion chamber.
11. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal
section of the second expansion chamber is a trapezoidal
section.
12. The extended reach tool of claim 11, wherein the trapezoidal
section includes a top base proximate the top of the second
expansion chamber and a bottom base proximate the bottom of the
second expansion chamber, wherein the top base is longer than the
bottom base.
13. The extended reach tool of claim 1, wherein the second
expansion chamber and each second constricted chamber of the at
least two flow paths are configured such that when a fluid flows
through the extended reach tool a portion of the fluid flow within
each of second constricted chamber enters the second expansion
chamber, thereby causing the flow of fluid to become turbulent
within the second expansion chamber and amplify a pulsation of the
fluid flowing through the second expansion chamber.
14. A method of delivering a pulsing fluid, comprising: positioning
the extended reach tool of claim 1 in a well bore; providing a
fluid to the extended reach tool; separating the fluid into the at
least two separate flow paths in the extended reach tool.
15. A drill string comprising: at least one of a tubing and a
motor; a bottom hole assembly; and, the extended reach tool of
claim 1.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional
patent application Ser. No. 15/970,691 entitled Extended Reach Tool
filed May 3, 2018, which claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/500,870 entitled Extended Reach Tool
filed on May 3, 2017, each of which are specifically incorporated
by reference in its entirety herein.
FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods
for creating a vibration within a wellbore. The disclosure relates
specifically to a vibrating downhole tool configured to vibrate
equipment located within a wellbore.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the drilling of oil and gas wells as well as other
downhole activities, it is common to use a downhole system which
provides a percussive or hammer effect to the drill string to
increase drilling rate. For example, in the process of drilling a
wellbore, frictional forces acting against the drill pipe or other
component running through the wellbore limit the maximum length or
depth to which the wellbore may be drilled. Solutions of this
problem include mechanisms for vibrating the drill pipe during
drilling in order to convert static frictional forces on the drill
pipe to dynamic frictional forces between the drill pipe and the
wall of the wellbore.
[0004] Various types of vibrator devices have been employed with
pipe strings in order to provide vibration. Some such vibrator
devices typically employ reciprocating impact elements that move
back and forth along the axis of the pipe string to induce
vibration in the pipe string. Other such vibrator devices employ
the use of eccentrically weighted rotating masses, eccentric shafts
or rods, or rotatable impact elements that rotate about the
longitudinal axis of the drill or pipe string to strike an impact
anvil in order to apply a rotational or torsional vibration to the
pipe string.
[0005] Still other types of vibrator devices utilize Moineau power
sections that are generally used in downhole mud motors or pumps.
Moineau power sections typically utilize rubber or rubber-like
elastomers as seals which are negatively affected by elevated
wellbore temperatures and pressures, certain drilling fluids and or
chemicals, and contaminants or debris in the wellbore or drilling
fluids.
[0006] Apparatus utilizing one or both of these principles is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,438 to David M. Facteau. Two
fluidic oscillators are achieved by employing wedge-shaped
splitters to route the flow of a fluid down diverging diffuser
legs. The oscillators connect to a source of fluid flow, provide a
mechanism for oscillating the fluid flow between two different
locations within the oscillator, and emit fluid pulses downstream
of the source of the fluid flow. In one vibrator, a feedback
passageway from each leg is routed back to the flow path upstream
of the splitter to create a condition establishing oscillating flow
through the legs. In a second vibrator, a passageway between the
legs downstream of the upstream end of the splitter creates a
condition establishing oscillating flow through the legs. A
disadvantage of this kind of oscillator is that the diverging
diffuser legs required to establish oscillation are expensive to
fabricate and prone to clogging from debris in the fluid because of
the relative incline between the leg and the axial of the pipe
string.
[0007] Consequently, there is a need to provide an even more
effective fluid oscillator for down hole tools which is reliable,
long-lived and economical.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention is directed to a helix oscillating
delivery system that creates an erratic helical pulsating stream
within a circular cylindrical structure. The helix oscillating
delivery system connects to a source of fluid flow at its upper end
and has a plurality of separate flow paths that are constricted and
expanded repeatedly. The erratic helical pulsating stream is caused
by the flow paths and strengthened by an expansion chamber.
[0009] In one embodiment, the helix oscillating delivery system
comprises two or more separate flow paths. Each of the flow paths
has multiple hollow chambers connected in series. Each of the
hollow chambers comprises a first constricted chamber 6 with a
fluid entry, a first expansion chamber located adjacent to the
lower end of the first constricted chamber, a second constricted
chamber with an upper end connected to the lower end of the first
expansion chamber; a separate second expansion chamber connected to
the lower ends of a plurality of the second constricted chambers;
and a single port located adjacent to the lower end of the second
expansion chamber.
[0010] The cross-section area of the first constricted chamber is
smaller than that of the first expansion chamber and the
cross-section area of the first expansion chamber is larger than
that of the second constricted chamber.
[0011] The cross-section area of the second expansion chamber
gradually decreases from a top end to a bottom end of the second
expansion chamber.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the cross-section of
the second expansion chamber is circular, and the longitudinal
section of the second expansion chamber is a trapezoidal section
with a large top base and a small bottom base.
[0013] In another aspect, the invention is directed to an extended
reach tool. The tool comprises two or more separate flow paths.
Each of the flow paths has multiple hollow chambers connected in
series. Each of the hollow chambers comprises a first constricted
chamber with a fluid entry, a first expansion chamber located
adjacent to the lower end of the first constricted chamber, a
second constricted chamber with the upper end connected to the
lower end of the first expansion chamber; a separate second
expansion chamber connected to the lower ends of a plurality of the
second constricted chambers; and a single port located adjacent to
the lower end of the second expansion chamber.
[0014] In one embodiment, the extended reach tool can be attached
to a tubing or motor on a top side of the extended reach tool and
attached to a bottom hole assembly on a bottom end of the extended
reach tool.
[0015] In one embodiment, the extended reach tool comprises a
thread pin adapted to engage a threaded box of a tubing or motor,
and a threaded box end to receive male threaded pin end of a bottom
hole assembly.
[0016] In another aspect, the invention is direct to a method of
delivering an erratic helical pulsating jet stream within an
extended reach tool connected to a drill string pipe/coil tubing or
a bottom hole assembly. The tool receives fluid from the drill
string pipe or coil tubing into a hollow interior of the tool,
wherein the fluid is separated into two or more separate flow
paths. The fluid is repeatedly compressed and expanded, which will
create a pulsating flow with erratic helical flow, and the
pulsating flow passes out of the tool through ports in the tool to
create pulsing and erratic helical jets of fluid. The erratic,
helically pulsating jets of fluid will cause the extended reach
tool to vibrate and pulsate a bottom hole assembly and coil
tubing/tubing to release friction around them so as to move the
bottom hole assembly freely downhole and up hole.
[0017] In one embodiment, the fluid is separated into two separate
paths.
[0018] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features of
the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that
follows may be better understood. Additional features and
advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter, which
form the subject of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and
other enhancements and objects of the disclosure are obtained, a
more particular description of the disclosure briefly described
above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof
which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that
these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure
and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, the
disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail
through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1a is a transparent perspective view of an extended
reach tool in accord with one possible embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the extended reach tool
in FIG. 1a in accord with one possible embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a view to show the fluid flowing in chambers of a
flow path in a helix oscillating delivery system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of
the present disclosure only and are presented in the cause of
providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily
understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of
various embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, no attempt
is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail
than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the
disclosure, the description taken with the drawings making apparent
to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the disclosure
may be embodied in practice.
[0024] The following definitions and explanations are meant and
intended to be controlling in any future construction unless
clearly and unambiguously modified in the following examples or
when application of the meaning renders any construction
meaningless or essentially meaningless. In cases where the
construction of the term would render it meaningless or essentially
meaningless, the definition should be taken from Webster's
Dictionary 3.sup.rd Edition.
[0025] The present invention pertains to a helix oscillating
delivery system that creates a pulsating flow within a circular
cylindrical structure. The helix oscillating delivery system
connects to a source of fluid flow at its upper end and has a
plurality of separate flow paths that are constricted and expanded
repeatedly. The flow paths enter into an expanded area and the
expanded area connects to a single port on its lower end. Referring
to FIG. 1, the helix oscillating delivery system comprises two or
more separate flow paths 5, each of the flow paths 5 has multiple
hollow chambers connected in series. For example, a flow path has a
first constricted chamber 6 with a fluid entry, a first expansion
chamber 7 is located adjacent to a lower end of the first
constricted chamber 6. An upper end of the second constricted
chamber 8 is connected to a lower end of the first expansion
chamber 7. There is a separate second expansion chamber 9 connected
to the lower ends of a plurality of the second constricted chambers
8 of the flow paths 5. Then a single port 10 is located adjacent to
a lower end of the second expansion chamber 9. The chambers 6, 7,
and 8 are columnar hollow structures and the shapes of the
cross-section of the chambers are arbitrary. In some embodiments,
the cross-sectional shapes can be rectangular, squares, triangular,
rhomboid, and ellipse. In a preferred embodiment, the shapes of the
cross-section of the chambers are circular in order to reduce the
effects of resistance and drag applied to the fluid flow in the
chambers.
[0026] The cross-section area of the first constricted chamber 6 is
smaller than that of the first expansion chamber 7 and the
cross-section area of the first expansion chamber 7 is larger than
that of the second constricted chamber 8. FIG. 2 illustrate fluid
flowing in chambers 6, 7 and 8 which are connected in series. The
arrows indicate the direction of the movement of the fluid. In FIG.
2, chamber 6, 7 and 8 are of cylinder shapes and have inner
diameters d1, D and d2 respectively, where d1<D and D>d2. The
fluid is compressed in chamber 6 because of the restriction in flow
and decrease in diameter, and the velocity of the fluid will
increase. When the fluid enters into chamber 7, it will expand and
the velocity of the fluid will decrease because of the increase in
diameter of the chamber 7. Then when the fluid enters into chamber
8 from chamber 7, the fluid will be compressed and the velocity of
it will increase, which will create a pulsing flow. The fluid near
the section between chamber 6 and chamber 7 will be subject to high
shear forces because of the density and viscosity of the fluid and
the sudden expansion of the fluid. The shear forces cause vortex
turbulence in the chamber 7. Similarly, shear forces near the
section between chamber 7 and chamber 8 cause vortex turbulence in
the chamber 7 because of the sudden contraction of the fluid. The
vortex turbulence is propagated in the chamber 7, which induces an
erratic helical flow. The erratic helical flow amplifies the
pulsation of the pulsing flow.
[0027] In some embodiments, the shape of the cross-section of the
expanded chamber 9 can be rectangles, squares, triangles, rhomboid,
ellipse. The cross-section area of the expanded chamber 9 gradually
decreases from a top end to a bottom end of it. In a preferred
embodiment the shape of the cross-section of the expanded chamber 9
is circular, the longitudinal section of the expanded chamber 9 is
a trapezoidal section with a large top base and a small bottom
base. With this construction, the pulsing flows from a plurality of
chambers 8 will expand and generate vortex turbulence which will
interfuse with each other, such that the erratic helical flows from
a plurality of chambers 8 will interfere with each other to
generate stronger erratic helical flow. And at the same time, the
fluid will be concentrated because of the gradually decreased
cross-section area of the expanded chamber 9. The erratic helical
flow further amplifies the pulsation of the pulsing flow in the
expanded chamber 9. Then the pulsing flow is deflected and forced
into the single port 10. The single port 10 can be a hollow
cylinder or a conical structure with an up-narrow and down-wide
configuration to form a flow path for the erratic helical pulsating
stream.
[0028] As a result, a strong pulsating stream with erratic helical
flow is developed in the helix oscillating delivery system without
any external excitation, and no moving parts or valve arrangements
are required to bring about a pulse flow.
[0029] The helix oscillating delivery system can be used in a
downhole system to provide pulsation. In one embodiment, it can be
used as an extended reach tool to prevent stick-slip incidences
with coil tubing or lock-up of jointed pipe between cased hole/open
hole, and with tubing or coil tubing while milling, drilling or
performing service work.
[0030] The extended reach tool can be used to vibrate and pulsate
coil tubing/tubing and milling, drilling, or service work bottom
hole assemblies to eliminate friction of the coil tubing or tubing
in cased hole or open hole, so as to allow the bottom hole assembly
to reach the depth in the cased hole or open hole well to complete
the desired milling, drilling, or service job.
[0031] Referring back to FIG. 1, the extended reach tool 10 will be
attached to a tubing or motor (not shown) on top side 2 and
attached to a bottom hole assembly (not shown) on the bottom end 3.
The extended reach tool 10 can be used on any size tubing. The top
side 2 may have a male threaded box adapted to receive a female
threaded pin of the tubing, and the bottom end 3 may comprise a
female threaded pin end to engage a male threaded box end of the
bottom hole assembly.
[0032] Fluid flow 4 enters from the top side 2 into the extended
reach tool 10. The entry of the flow into the tool can be through
an inclusive box or pin of said tool or a crossover that can be
attached to the tool. The tool is provided internally with two or
more separate flow paths 5, each of the flow paths 5 has multiple
hollow chamber connected in series. A flow path 5 has a first
constricted chamber 6 with a fluid entry, a first expansion chamber
7 is located adjacent to a lower end of the first constricted
chamber 6. An upper end of the second constricted chamber 8 is
connected to a lower end of the first expansion chamber 7. Fluid
flow 4 is alternatingly constricted in chamber 6, then expanded in
chamber 7 and then constricted in chamber 8 to cause itself to
pulsate in a flow pattern with erratic helical flow. The flow paths
are all arranged in a case 12. The flow 4 from the chamber 8 enters
into the second expansion chamber 9 and is forced into the single
port 10 which can be part of the tool or an add on, extending
through the extended reach tool 10 on a lower end for delivering
erratic helically pulsating jets of fluid out of the tool. The
erratic helically pulsating jets of fluid will cause the extended
reach tool 10 to vibrate and pulsate the bottom hole assembly and
coil tubing/tubing to release friction around them to move the
bottom hole assembly freely downhole and up hole.
[0033] Yet another aspect of the current invention is a method of
delivering an erratic helical pulsating jet stream within an
extended reach tool connected to a drill string pipe/coil tubing or
a bottom hole assembly, so that the tool receives fluid from the
drill string pipe or coil tubing into a hollow interior of the
tool, wherein the fluid is separated into two or more separate flow
paths, causing the fluid to be repeatedly compressed and expanded
which in turn will create a pulsating flow with erratic helical
flow, and causing the pulsating flow to pass out of the tool
through ports in the tool to create pulsing and erratic helical
jets of fluid. The erratic helically pulsating jets of fluid will
cause the extended reach tool to vibrate and pulsate a bottom hole
assembly and coil tubing/tubing to release friction around them to
move the bottom hole assembly freely downhole and up hole.
[0034] Referring back to FIG. 1, the extended reach tool 10 is
provided internally with two or more separate flow paths that are
repeatedly compressed and expanded to cause the fluid to pulsate in
an erratic helical flow pattern, and a single port extending
through the extended reach tool 10 that is deflected back to one
flow path on a lower end of the tool for delivering erratic helical
pulsating jets of fluid out of the tool. The erratic helically
pulsating jets of fluid will cause the tool to vibrate and pulsate
the bottom hole assembly and coil tubing/tubing.
[0035] All of the compositions and methods disclosed and claimed
herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in
light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods
of this disclosure have been described in terms of preferred
embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that
variations may be applied to the compositions and methods and in
the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described
herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the
disclosure. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain
agents which are both chemically related may be substituted for the
agents described herein while the same or similar results would be
achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent
to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit,
scope and concept of the disclosure as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *