Sand removal and device retrieval tool

• US 6,427,776 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2000
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Giroux, Richard Lee, Luke, Mike A., Hoffman, Corey E., Norris, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walker, Zakiya
• Application Number:
  US09/536,937
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 166/312, 166/311, 166/222, 166/99, 166/167, 166/169, 166/242.2, 166/325
• US Class Current: 166/311
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/04 operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion E21B23/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 27/00 Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers, baskets or buckets for collecting mud or sand; Drill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 37/08 cleaning in situ of down-hole filters, screens, e.g. casing perforations, or gravel packs E21B37/06 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a simple debris removal apparatus for use in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention a modular, interchangeable venturi is provided which can be retrofit into an existing debris bailer having a filter and a debris collection container. In another aspect of the invention, a venturi is utilized to create a negative pressure in a wellbore sufficient to actuate a retrieval tool for a downhole device. In yet another aspect of the invention, a combination tool is provided which can evacuate debris in a wellbore, thereby uncovering a downhole device which can then be removed in a single trip. In yet another aspect of the invention, a debris removal apparatus is provided with a method for utilizing the apparatus in a wellbore on coiled tubing.

Claims

1. A tool for removing debris from a well, comprising:

an upper tubular portion defining a pathway for the downward flow of power fluid from a pipe thereabove;

a restriction portion for increasing the velocity of the power fluid and a return fluid and creating an area of low pressure therearound, the restriction portion includes a nozzle portion, a throat portion, and a diffuser portion as a single unit;

a diverter portion for directing the high velocity power fluid and return fluid;

a debris storage container to retain debris urged therein due to a suction created thereabove;

a retaining member at a lower end of the container to prevent debris from falling out of the container; and

a filter member disposed between the retaining member and the restriction portion.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the diverter portion diverts the high velocity power and return fluid out a side wall of the tool.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the restriction portion is selectively removable.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the filter member is replaceable with a second filter member having different filtering characteristics.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the container is coiled tubing.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the coiled tubing includes at least one valve disposed therein, the valve spoolable upon a coiled tubing spool.

7. The tool of claim 6, further comprising:

a body disposed below the container;

a slidable member engaging the body and having an extended and retracted positions with respect to the body;

a biasing member biasing the slidable member in the extended position; and

a piston surface formed at a downhole end of the slidable member, the piston surface, when acted upon by a force, urging the slidable member into the retracted position.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the force acting upon the piston surface is a force created by the restriction portion disposed thereabove.

9. The tool of claim 7, further including a collet member disposed around the slidable member, the collet member including at least one finger formed at a downhole end thereof, the at least one finger prevented from inward movement by the slidable member when the slidable member is in the extended position.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the throat has an area larger than an area of the nozzle.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein a fluid in the debris storage container is discharged through the diverter portion.

12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the restriction portion is disposed above the diverter portion.

13. The tool of claim 1, wherein the diffuser portion directs the high velocity power fluid and return fluid to the diverter portion.

14. The tool of claim 1, wherein a fluid in the debris storage container is discharged through the restriction portion.

15. The tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a body disposed below the container;

a slidable member engaging the body and having an extended and retracted positions with respect to the body;

a biasing member biasing the slidable member in the extended position; and

a piston surface formed at a downhole end of the slidable member, the piston surface, when acted upon by a force, urging the slidable member into the retracted position.

16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the force acting upon the piston surface is a force created by the restriction portion disposed thereabove.

17. The tool of claim 15, further including a collet member disposed around the slidable member, the collet member including at least one finger formed at a downhole end thereof, the at least one finger prevented from inward movement by the slidable member when the slidable member is in the extended position.

18. The tool of claim 17, wherein the at least one finger is constructed and arranged to contact a profile formed on a inside surface of a downhole tool and the at least one finger is insertable into the profile when the slidable member is in the retracted position.

19. The tool of claim 17, wherein the at least one finger is fixed within the profile when the slidable member is in the extended position.

20. The tool of claim 17, wherein the collet member is disposed within the slidable member and the at least one finger is prevented form outward movement by the slidable member.

21. The tool of claim 20, wherein the at least one finger contacts a profile formed in the outside surface of a downhole tool.

22. A tool for removing debris from a well, comprising:

an upper tubular portion defining a pathway for the downward flow of power fluid from a pipe thereabove;

a selectively removable restriction portion having a nozzle portion, a throat portion, and a diffuser portion as a single unit;

a debris storage container to retain debris urged therein due to a suction created thereabove;

a retaining member at a lower end of the container to prevent debris from falling out of the container; and

a filter member disposed between the retaining member and the restriction portion.

23. A tool for removing debris from a well, comprising:

an upper tubular portion defining a pathway for the downward flow of power fluid from a pipe thereabove;

a restriction portion for increasing the velocity of the power fluid and a return fluid and creating an area of low pressure therearound, the restriction portion includes a nozzle portion, a throat portion, and a diffuser portion;

a diverter portion for directing the high velocity power fluid and return fluid;

a debris storage container to retain debris urged therein due to a suction created thereabove;

a retaining member at a lower end of the container to prevent debris from falling out of the container;

a body disposed below the container;

a slidable member engaging the body and having an extended and retracted positions with respect to the body;

a biasing member biasing the slidable member in the extended position; and

a piston surface formed at a downhole end of the slidable member, the piston surface, when acted upon by a force, urging the slidable member into the retracted position.

24. The tool of claim 23, wherein the container is a coiled tubing having at least one valve disposed therein, the valve spoolable upon a coiled tubing spool.

25. The tool of claim 23, wherein the force acting upon the piston surface is a force created by the restriction portion disposed thereabove.

26. The tool of claim 23, further including a collet member disposed around the slidable member, the collet member including at least one finger formed at a downhole end thereof, the at least finger prevented from inward movement by the slidable member when the slidable member is in the extended position.

27. The tool of claim 26, wherein the at least one finger is constructed and arranged to contact a profile formed on a inside surface of a downhole tool and the at least one finger is insertable into the profile when the slidable member is in the retracted position.

28. The tool of claim 26, wherein the at least one finger is fixed within the profile when the slidable member is in the extended position.

29. The tool of claim 26, wherein the collet member is disposed within the slidable member and the at least one finger is prevented form outward movement by the slidable member.

30. The tool of claim 29, wherein the at least one finger contacts a profile formed in the outside surface of a downhole tool.

31. An apparatus for use in a well, comprising;

an upper tubular portion defining a pathway for the downward flow of power fluid from a pipe thereabove;

a restriction portion for increasing the velocity of the power fluid and a return fluid and creating an area of low pressure therearound;

a diverter portion for directing the high velocity power fluid and return fluid;

a debris storage container to retain debris urged therein due to a suction created thereabove;

a retaining member at a lower end of the container to prevent debris from falling out of the container; and

a tool removably disposed below the container, wherein the tool is actuatable using a force created by the restriction portion.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the tool is a retrieval tool.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the tool comprises:

a body disposed below the container;

a slidable member engaging the body and having an extended and retracted positions with respect to the body;

a biasing member biasing the slidable member in the extended position; and

a piston surface formed at a downhole end of the slidable member, the piston surface, when acted upon by a force, urging the slidable member into the retracted position.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the force acting upon the piston surface is a force created by the restriction portion disposed thereabove.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, further including a collet member disposed around the slidable member, the collet member including at least one finger formed at a downhole end thereof, the at least finger prevented from inward movement by the slidable member when the slidable member is in the extended position.