Cavity positioning tool and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cavity positioning tool comprising:
- a head piece configured to receive a downhole string having a longitudinal axis;
a plurality of blunt arms coupled to the head piece, the blunt arms configured to contact a surface of the cavity to position the tool in the cavity without substantial cutting of the surface of the cavity; and
the arms operable to be radially extended outward from a first position of substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis to a second extended position.
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Abstract
A cavity positioning tool is provided that includes a head piece adapted to receive a downhole string having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of blunt arms are coupled to the head piece. The blunt arms are operable to be radially extended outward from a first position of substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis to a second extended position.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A cavity positioning tool comprising:
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a head piece configured to receive a downhole string having a longitudinal axis;
a plurality of blunt arms coupled to the head piece, the blunt arms configured to contact a surface of the cavity to position the tool in the cavity without substantial cutting of the surface of the cavity; and
the arms operable to be radially extended outward from a first position of substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis to a second extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
a clevis sized to receive a first end of each blunt arm; and
a pin pivotally connecting the first end of the blunt arms to the clevis.
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9. The cavity positioning tool of claim 1, wherein the head piece is configured to receive a pump string.
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10. The cavity positioning tool of claim 1, wherein the head piece is configured to receive a pump inlet of a pump string.
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11. The cavity positioning tool of claim 1, further comprising stops for each blunt arm, the stops operable to limit the outward extension of the blunt arm from the first position.
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12. The cavity positioning tool of claim 11, wherein the stops are operable to limit the outward extension of the blunt arm from the first position to a position substantially perpendicular to the head piece.
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13. The cavity positioning tool of claim 1, wherein the blunt arms are operable to be rotated around the longitudinal axis.
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14. A method for positioning a downhole device relative to a subsurface cavity comprising:
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coupling the device to a plurality of blunt arms, the blunt arms configured to contact a surface of the cavity to position the tool in the cavity without substantial cutting of the surface of the cavity;
lowering the blunt arms to the cavity through a restricted passageway with the blunt arms in a substantially retracted position;
radially extending the blunt arms outward from the retracted position to an extended position within the cavity; and
resting the blunt arms in the extended position on a floor of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for positioning a pump inlet in a cavity for removing fluids from a subsurface formation, comprising:
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lowering an inlet of a pump through a well bore into a cavity, the cavity extending radially from the well bore;
radially extending within the cavity a plurality of blunt arms coupled to the pump inlet, the blunt arms configured to contact a surface of the cavity to position the tool in the cavity without substantial cutting of the surface of the cavity; and
resting the arms on a floor of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for degasifying a coal seam, comprising:
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lowering an inlet of a pump through a well bore into a cavity formed in a coal seam, with a rat hole below the cavity, the cavity extending radially from the well bore;
radially extending within the cavity a plurality of blunt arms coupled to the pump inlet;
positioning the inlet in a lower part of the cavity above the rat hole by resting the blunt arms on a floor of the cavity;
collecting fluids in the cavity;
removing the fluids with the pump; and
recovering gas through the well bore. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for removing particulate laden fluid from a subterranean zone, comprising:
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lowering an inlet of a pump through a well bore into a cavity formed in a subterranean zone, the cavity extending radially from the well bore;
radially extending within the cavity a plurality of blunt arms coupled to the pump inlet, the blunt arms configured to contact a surface of the cavity to position the tool in the cavity without substantial cutting of the surface of the cavity;
positioning the inlet in the cavity by resting the blunt arms on a floor of the cavity;
collecting particulate laden fluids in the cavity;
agitating the fluid by rotating the blunt arms about a longitudinal axis of the pump; and
,removing the fluids with the pump. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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Specification