Extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore

• US 8,540,035 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2009
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Xu, Wei Jake, Odell, Albert C. II, Harrall, Simon J., Redlinger, Thomas M., Vreeland, Christopher M., Antoine, Andrew, Brunnert, David J., Laird, Tommy L., Moody, Michael J., Tilton, Frederick T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Kenneth L
• Assistant Examiner(s): MICHENER, BLAKE E
• Application Number:
  US12/616,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20100089583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 175267-269, 175/284, 175/285, 175/291
• US Class Current: 175/268
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/32 with expansible cutting tools
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/14 using acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/28 Enlarging drilled holes, e.g. by counterboring

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.

Claims

1. A tool for use in a well bore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, a connector at each longitudinal end thereof, and a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to a first piston, and rotationally coupled to the first tubular body,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position,

movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the first arm extends outward past an outer surface of the first tubular body, and

having a second actuation profile formed in an inner surface thereof and corresponding to the first actuation profile;

the first piston;

disposed in the body bore,

having a bore therethrough, and

operable to move the first arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and

a second piston operably coupled to the lock,

wherein;

the first piston extends the first arm by moving longitudinally relative to the first tubular body, thereby moving the first arm along the first actuation profile, and

the first arm rotates about the pivotal connection and relative to the first tubular body during extension from the retracted position to the extended position to accommodate movement of the first arm along the first actuation profile, and

the actuation profiles are disengaged in the retracted position.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein:

the second piston has a seat for receiving a first closure member, and

the second piston is operable to release the lock in response to fluid pressure exerted upon the first closure member.

3. The tool of claim 2, further comprising a third piston having a seat for receiving a second closure member, wherein the third piston is operable to re-engage the lock or isolate the first piston.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein:

the second piston has a nozzle for restricting fluid flow therethrough, and

the second piston is operable to release the lock in response to a fluid flow rate injected therethrough being greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein:

the lock comprises;

a spring biasing the first piston toward the retracted position, and

a valve having an open position and a closed position and operable to at least restrict fluid communication to the second piston in the closed position, and

the second piston is operable in conjunction with the first piston to extend the arm when the valve is in the open position.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein each actuation profile has a shoulder and the shoulders are engaged in the extended position.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein each shoulder is radially inclined to create a radially inward component of a normal reaction force between the first arm and the first tubular body.

8. The tool of claim 6, wherein:

each actuation profile further has a longitudinally inclined portion and a longitudinally flat portion, and

each shoulder is formed between the respective longitudinally inclined portion and longitudinally flat portion.

9. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a second arm:

pivotally connected to the first piston,

disposed in a second opening through the first tubular body wall in a retracted position,

movable between the extended and retracted positions, and

longitudinally aligned with and circumferentially spaced from the first arm,

wherein;

a junk slot is formed in an outer surface of the first tubular body, and

the junk slot extends a length of the opening.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the first arm forms a blade having a straight gage portion and arcuate leading and trailing portions.

11. The tool of claim 10, further comprising cutters disposed along the blade.

12. The tool of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the first arm forms two blades and a stabilizer pad between the blades.

13. The tool of claim 1, wherein:

the first piston has a flow port formed through a wall thereof,

the tool further comprises a sleeve longitudinally coupled to the first tubular body and closing the flow port in the retracted position, and

the flow port is open to the first piston bore in the extended position.

14. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a spring biasing the first piston toward the retracted position.

15. The tool of claim 14, further comprising:

a second tubular body longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the first tubular body,

a mandrel disposed in the second body and biased into engagement with the first piston by the spring.

16. The tool of claim 1, wherein:

the second piston has a bypass port formed through a wall thereof,

the tool further comprises a piston housing longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the first tubular body and closing the bypass port in the retracted position, and

the bypass port is open in the extended position.

17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the second piston is fastened to the piston housing by a frangible fastener.

18. The tool of claim 1, wherein the lock comprises:

a mandrel having an opening formed through a wall thereof,

a dog disposed in the opening, and

a keeper radially restraining the dog in the locked position and movable to release the dog by the second piston.

19. The tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastener pivotally connecting the first arm and the first piston; and

a torsion spring disposed around the fastener and biasing the first arm radially inward.

20. The tool of claim 1, wherein each actuation profile has a longitudinally inclined portion, a longitudinally flat portion, and a shoulder formed between the inclined and flat portions.

21. The tool of claim 20, wherein:

the flat portion of the second actuation profile is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body in the retracted position, and

the flat portion of the second actuation profile is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis in the extended position.

22. A method of drilling a wellbore using the tool of claim 1, comprising:

running a drilling assembly into the wellbore through a casing string, the drilling assembly comprising a tubular string, the tool, and a drill bit;

injecting drilling fluid through the tubular string and rotating the drill bit, wherein the tool remains locked in the retracted position;

extending the first arm by pumping a closure member to the second piston or substantially increasing an injection rate of the drilling fluid; and

drilling and reaming the wellbore using the drill bit and the extended tool.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the drilling assembly further comprises a second tool, and

the method further comprises extending an arm of the second tool.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising drilling and reaming the wellbore using the drill bit and the extended second tool.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the second tool is a stabilizer.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the arm of the second tool is extended by sending an instruction signal from surface.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the arm of the second tool is extended by pumping a second closure member.

28. A tool for use in a well bore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, a connector at each longitudinal end thereof, and a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to a first piston, and rotationally coupled to the first tubular body,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position,

movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the first arm extends outward past an outer surface of the first tubular body, and

having a second actuation profile formed in an inner surface thereof and corresponding to the first actuation profile;

the first piston;

disposed in the body bore,

having a bore therethrough, and

operable to move the first arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and

a second piston operably coupled to the lock,

wherein;

the first piston extends the first arm by moving longitudinally relative to the first tubular body, thereby moving the first arm along the first actuation profile,

the first arm rotates about the pivotal connection and relative to the first tubular body during extension,

each actuation profile has a shoulder and the shoulders are engaged in the extended position,

the shoulders are disengaged in the retracted position,

each actuation profile further has a longitudinally inclined portion and a longitudinally flat portion, and

each shoulder is formed between the respective longitudinally inclined portion and longitudinally flat portion.

29. The tool of claim 28, wherein the first arm rotates about the pivotal connection and relative to the first tubular body during extension from the retracted position to the extended position.

30. A tool for use in a well bore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, a connector at each longitudinal end thereof, and a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to a first piston, and rotationally coupled to the first tubular body,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position,

movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the first arm extends outward past an outer surface of the first tubular body, and

having a second actuation profile formed in an inner surface thereof and corresponding to the first actuation profile;

the first piston;

disposed in the body bore,

having a bore therethrough, and

operable to move the first arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position;

a second piston operably coupled to the lock;

a fastener pivotally connecting the first arm and the first piston; and

a torsion spring disposed around the fastener and biasing the first arm radially inward,

wherein;

the first piston extends the first arm by moving longitudinally relative to the first tubular body, thereby moving the first arm along the first actuation profile, and

the first arm rotates about the pivotal connection and relative to the first tubular body during extension.

31. The tool of claim 30, wherein the first arm rotates about the pivotal connection and relative to the first tubular body during extension from the retracted position to the extended position.

32. A tool for use in a well bore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, a connector at each longitudinal end thereof, and a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to a first piston, and rotationally coupled to the first tubular body,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position,

movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the first arm extends outward past an outer surface of the first tubular body, and

having a second actuation profile formed in an inner surface thereof and corresponding to the first actuation profile;

the first piston;

disposed in the body bore,

having a bore therethrough, and

operable to move the first arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and

a second piston operably coupled to the lock,

wherein;

the first piston extends the first arm by moving longitudinally relative to the first tubular body, thereby moving the first arm along the first actuation profile,

the first arm rotates about the pivotal connection and relative to the first tubular body during extension from the retracted position to the extended position, and

each actuation profile has a longitudinally inclined portion, a longitudinally flat portion, and a shoulder formed between the inclined and flat portions.

33. The tool of claim 32, wherein:

the flat portion of the second actuation profile is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body in the retracted position, and

the flat portion of the second actuation profile is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis in the extended position.