Method for removing a consumable downhole tool

• US 8,327,926 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2008
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MCR Oil Tools, LLC (MCR Oil Tools Corp.), Robertson Intellectual Properties, Llc
• Original Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, Llc
• Inventors: Robertson, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomar, Shane
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALLACE, KIPP CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US12/190,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20120199351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,581 Days
• Field of Search: 166/376, 166/58, 166/59, 166/63
• US Class Current: 166/63
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/06 Releasing-joints, e.g. safety joints
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/06 for setting packers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 29/02 by explosives or by thermal or chemical means freeing stuck objects by explosives E21B31/002
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 31/002 Destroying the objects to be fished, e.g. by explosive means

Abstract

A method for providing a torch apparatus into a well bore for providing heat to a material that includes the step of inserting the torch apparatus into the well bore, such that a plurality of slots along the torch apparatus are oriented to provide the heat and a source of oxygen to the material. The method further includes igniting a fuel load of the torch apparatus to provide the heat and the source of oxygen through the plurality of slots to the material so that the portion of the material is at least partially consumed. The interstitial spaces between the plurality of slots allow longitudinal flow of heat and the source of oxygen along the torch apparatus without interfering with the flow of heat and the source of oxygen through the slots.

Claims

1. A method of operating a torch in a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a torch within a cased portion of a wellbore and proximate to a material disposed in the wellbore, wherein the torch is configured to contain a fuel;

burning the fuel to produce a heat and oxygen source;

exposing the material to the heat and oxygen source; and

continuing to operate the torch until at least a portion of the material is consumed by the heat and oxygen source,

wherein the torch comprises a torch body connected to a nozzle section configured with a plurality of slots to allow longitudinal flow of fluid along the torch without interfering with the flow of fluid through the slots, and wherein the orientation of the nozzle section directs the heat and the source of oxygen toward the material.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of burning the fuel to provide the heat and the source of oxygen to the material comprises consuming a portion of the material that is formed from a metal and is consumed when exposed to heat and the source of oxygen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal is magnesium, and wherein the step of consuming the portion of the material comprises oxidizing the magnesium through exposure to heat and the source of oxygen.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal is lead, and wherein the step of consuming the portion of the material comprises melting the lead, dissolving the lead, or combinations thereof, through exposure to heat and the source of oxygen.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of burning the fuel of the torch apparatus comprises igniting a flammable, non-explosive solid that produces heat and the source of oxygen when burned.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fuel comprises thermite.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of burning a fuel of the torch apparatus to provide heat and the source of oxygen comprises burning the fuel to distribute molten plasma through the plurality of slots.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of burning the fuel comprises actuating a firing mechanism of the torch apparatus to cause a heat source of the firing mechanism in communication with the fuel to ignite the fuel.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the firing mechanism is an electronic igniter.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of providing a timing device in operative communication with the firing mechanism, such that the timing device causes actuation of the firing mechanism after a preselected elapsed time.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the timing device comprises an electronic timer, a mechanical timer, a spring-wound timer, a volume timer, or a measured flow timer.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of programming the timing device to activate the heat source when a pre-defined condition is met.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pre-defined condition comprises elapsed time, temperature, pressure, volume, or any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of actuating firing mechanism comprises actuating a pressure actuated firing head of the firing mechanism.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the torch apparatus further comprises an accelerant, and wherein the step of burning the fuel further comprises accelerating combustion of the fuel using the accelerant.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the torch apparatus into the well bore comprises disposing a section of the torch apparatus comprising the plurality of slots within a cavity.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the disposing of the section of the torch into the cavity defines an annular flow space therebetween.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of burning the fuel to provide the heat and the source of oxygen further comprises perforating at least a portion of a downhole tool.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the torch apparatus into the well bore comprises orienting the plurality of slots upstream from the fuel.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the torch apparatus into the well bore comprises lowering the torch apparatus into the well bore using a work string.

21. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of placing the firing mechanism in operative communication with the torch apparatus using a work string.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the torch apparatus into the well bore comprises providing the torch apparatus above a rat hole of the well bore.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of burning the fuel to provide the heat and the source of oxygen comprises directing cutting fluids radially outward and longitudinally from the plurality of slots.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of directing the cutting fluids radially outward comprises the step of directing cutting fluids in radial flows, with interstitial spaces between the radial flows, wherein the interstitial spaces provide paths for longitudinal cutting fluids.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots extend in a longitudinal direction and are arranged around a circumference of the torch apparatus.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the torch apparatus into the well bore comprises disposing the plurality of slots upstream of the fuel load.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots extend in a longitudinal direction and are arranged around a circumference of the nozzle section.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots further comprise a first set of slots having at least two rows of slots spaced longitudinally from one another and a second set of slots having at least two rows of slots spaced longitudinally from one another, wherein the first set of slots and the second set of slots are longitudinally spaced from each other.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the nozzle section is oriented such that heat and the source of oxygen are directed toward a body, structural component, or holding component of a downhole tool to perforate at least a portion of the body, structural component, or holding component.