Centralizing and protective adapter for downhole torch and method of use
First Claim
1. An apparatus to modify or remove an obstruction or a downhole tool within a wellbore, comprising:
- a tubular body comprising a first end and a second end and configured to contain a fuel load and an initiator, wherein the fuel load is initiated to produce a molten thermite;
a nozzle positioned at the second end of the tubular body and configured to project the molten thermite onto the obstruction or the downhole tool; and
a first adapter configured to attach to the tubular body, wherein the first adapter comprises a seal between the first adapter and the tubular body and one or more protruding elements configured to align the nozzle over the obstruction or the downhole tool, wherein the first adapter is configured to at least partially surround the obstruction or the downhole tool such that the aligned nozzle projects the molten thermite directly onto the obstruction or the downhole tool, wherein the first adapter forms a barrier between a surrounding area of the wellbore and the projected molten thermite, and wherein the one or more protruding elements comprises a side wall, and the side wall includes an opening into the first adapter.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and adapter are usable for aligning downhole torch apparatuses and cutting devices, including axial pyro torches, circulating pyro torches, and radial cutting and perforating torches, within a wellbore for removal of one or more downhole obstructions. The torch and/or cutting apparatus comprises a body having a nozzle adapted to project a fuel load, such as molten thermite or molten thermite with a polymer, in a direction aligned with the obstruction. The adapter comprises protruding elements for eliminating or diminishing damage to the area surrounding the obstruction, including the inner walls of the wellbore and/or casing, and can further comprise centralizers for alignment of the apparatus with the obstruction, within the wellbore.
9 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus to modify or remove an obstruction or a downhole tool within a wellbore, comprising:
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a tubular body comprising a first end and a second end and configured to contain a fuel load and an initiator, wherein the fuel load is initiated to produce a molten thermite; a nozzle positioned at the second end of the tubular body and configured to project the molten thermite onto the obstruction or the downhole tool; and a first adapter configured to attach to the tubular body, wherein the first adapter comprises a seal between the first adapter and the tubular body and one or more protruding elements configured to align the nozzle over the obstruction or the downhole tool, wherein the first adapter is configured to at least partially surround the obstruction or the downhole tool such that the aligned nozzle projects the molten thermite directly onto the obstruction or the downhole tool, wherein the first adapter forms a barrier between a surrounding area of the wellbore and the projected molten thermite, and wherein the one or more protruding elements comprises a side wall, and the side wall includes an opening into the first adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of modifying or removing an obstruction from a wellbore, comprising:
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lowering an apparatus into a wellbore, wherein the apparatus comprises; a tubular body containing a fuel load; a nozzle positioned at a second end of the tubular body and configured to project molten thermite onto the obstruction; and a first adapter configured to attach to the tubular body, wherein the first adapter comprises a seal between the first adapter and the tubular body and comprises one or more protruding elements configured to align the nozzle over the obstruction, wherein the one or more protruding elements comprises a side wall, and the side wall includes an opening into the first adapter, and wherein the first adapter forms a barrier between a surrounding area of the wellbore and the molten thermite; aligning the nozzle over the obstruction with a first protruding element of the one or more protruding elements, wherein the first adapter is configured to at least partially surround the obstruction; initiating the fuel load to produce the molten thermite; projecting the molten thermite through the aligned nozzle to modify or remove at least a portion of the obstruction with the projected molten thermite; and preventing damage to a first area of the wellbore surrounding the obstruction with the one or more protruding elements. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An adapter for a downhole apparatus usable for modifying or removing a downhole tool in a wellbore, comprising:
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a body comprising a nozzle at a first end of the body, wherein the nozzle is configured to project molten thermite; at least one protruding element configured to protrude from the first end of the body, wherein the at least one protruding element comprises a side wall, and the side wall includes a vent opening into the adapter, and wherein the protruding element comprises a specific shape that at least partially surrounds a specific profile of the downhole tool when the downhole apparatus is lowered into the wellbore; and securing structures configured to maintain a connection between the adapter and the downhole tool while the nozzle projects the molten thermite. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification