Apparatus and methods for overcoming an obstruction in a wellbore
First Claim
1. An apparatus for penetrating a downhole target within a wellbore having an axis, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end;
a medium associated with the body;
a nozzle at the first end of the body, wherein the nozzle projects the medium in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the nozzle comprises a surface adapted to face the downhole target, and at least two elongated slots extending in a radial direction on the surface and oriented in a geometry configured for projecting the medium in a pattern adapted to separate the downhole target into at least two portions; and
an actuator in communication with the medium, wherein actuation of the actuator causes projection of the medium through the nozzle in the pattern, in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body and generally parallel to the axis of the wellbore for affecting the downhole target.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for penetrating a downhole target within a wellbore include providing a body with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end into a wellbore, the body having a nozzle at the first end. The nozzle is adapted to project a medium in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis to affect a downhole target. An actuator in communication with the medium is usable to initiate the apparatus. The nozzle can be provided with a geometry configured for projecting the medium in a pattern that separates the downhole target into at least two portions. The medium can include a ferromagnetic material that becomes associated with the downhole target to facilitate recovery of the target or portions thereof using a retrieval device having a magnetic element.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for penetrating a downhole target within a wellbore having an axis, wherein the apparatus comprises:
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a body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end; a medium associated with the body; a nozzle at the first end of the body, wherein the nozzle projects the medium in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the nozzle comprises a surface adapted to face the downhole target, and at least two elongated slots extending in a radial direction on the surface and oriented in a geometry configured for projecting the medium in a pattern adapted to separate the downhole target into at least two portions; and an actuator in communication with the medium, wherein actuation of the actuator causes projection of the medium through the nozzle in the pattern, in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body and generally parallel to the axis of the wellbore for affecting the downhole target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for at least partially removing an obstruction from a wellbore having an axis, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a body in the wellbore at a distance from the obstruction, wherein the body comprises a nozzle comprising a surface adapted to face the obstruction, and at least two elongated slots extending in a radial direction on the surface and oriented in a geometry for projecting a medium in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the wellbore, wherein the geometry is configured for projecting the medium in a pattern adapted to separate the obstruction into at least two portions; and projecting the medium through the nozzle in the direction generally parallel to the axis of the wellbore, wherein the medium elects at least one portion of the obstruction, thereby at least partially removing the obstruction from the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for removing and retrieving a downhole object from a wellbore, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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positioning a body in the wellbore at a distance from the downhole object, wherein the body comprises a nozzle to project a medium comprising a ferromagnetic material, the nozzle comprising a surface adapted to face the downhole object, and at least two elongated slots extending in a radial direction on the surface; contacting the downhole object with the medium comprising the ferromagnetic material, thereby associating the downhole object with the ferromagnetic material; and contacting the ferromagnetic material with a retrieval device comprising a magnetic element, thereby associating the downhole object with the retrieval device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification