Extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore

• US 8,794,354 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• 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): MICHENER, BLAKE E
• Application Number:
  US13/748,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20130133949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 175263-292, 175/57
• 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 wellbore, comprising

a first tubular body having:

a bore therethrough,

an opening through a wall thereof, and

a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to a first piston,

rotationally coupled to the first body,

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

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

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

wherein the actuation profiles are disengaged in the retracted position;

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 first piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening and by moving longitudinally relative to the first body, thereby moving the first arm along the first actuation profile;

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

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

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having a controller operable to release the lock in response to receiving a first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore.

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

a hydraulic chamber;

a position piston disposed in the hydraulic chamber and engaged with the first piston; and

a first valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber and operable by the controller.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the lock further comprises a position sensor operably coupled to the position piston and in communication with the controller.

4. The tool of claim 2, wherein the lock further comprises:

a balance chamber;

a compensating piston disposed in the balance chamber;

a first passage connecting the hydraulic and balance chambers, wherein the first valve is disposed in the first passage; and

a spring biasing the first piston toward the retracted position.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein:

the first valve operates as a check valve in a closed position, and

the check valve is oriented to prevent flow from the hydraulic chamber to the balance chamber and allow flow from the balance chamber to the hydraulic chamber.

6. The tool of claim 4, wherein:

the first valve is a shutoff valve, and

the lock further comprises;

a second passage connecting the chambers; and

a check valve disposed in the second passage and operable to prevent flow from the hydraulic chamber to the balance chamber and allow flow from the balance chamber to the hydraulic chamber.

7. The tool of claim 4, further comprising an electric pump disposed in the first passage and operable to pump hydraulic fluid from the balance chamber to the hydraulic chamber.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein:

each actuation profile has a shoulder, and

the shoulders are engaged in the extended position, and

the shoulders are disengaged in the retracted position.

9. The tool of claim 8, 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.

10. The tool of claim 9, 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.

11. 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.

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

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

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.

13. 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, and

the tool further comprises cutters disposed along the blade.

14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the outer surface of the first arm forms a second blade and a stabilizer pad between the blades.

15. 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.

16. The tool of claim 1, wherein the control module further comprises:

a spring biasing the first piston toward the retracted position;

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

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

17. The tool of claim 16, wherein:

the mandrel has an opening formed through a wall thereof, and

the lock comprises;

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 controller.

18. 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.

19. The tool of claim 18, 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.

20. 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;

while injecting the drilling fluid, extending the first arm by sending the first instruction signal to the tool from surface; and

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

21. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the drilling assembly further comprises a second tool, and

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

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising drilling and reaming the wellbore using the drill bit and the extended second tool.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the second tool is a stabilizer.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the arm of the second tool is extended by sending a second instruction signal from the surface.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the arm of the second tool is extended by pumping a closure member from the surface.

26. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to the body or a first piston,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and

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

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 first piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

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

a controller operable to release the lock in response to receiving a first instruction signal,

wherein the lock comprises;

a hydraulic chamber;

a position piston disposed in the hydraulic chamber and engaged with the first piston;

a first valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber and operable by the controller;

a balance chamber;

a compensating piston disposed in the balance chamber;

a first passage connecting the hydraulic and balance chambers, wherein the first valve is disposed in the first passage; and

a spring biasing the first piston toward the retracted position,

wherein;

the first valve operates as a check valve in a closed position, and

the check valve is oriented to prevent flow from the hydraulic chamber to the balance chamber and allow flow from the balance chamber to the hydraulic chamber.

27. The tool of claim 26, further comprising:

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

the lock; and

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having the controller for receiving the first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore.

28. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to the body or a first piston,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and

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

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 first piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

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

a controller operable to release the lock in response to receiving a first instruction signal,

wherein the lock comprises;

a hydraulic chamber;

a position piston disposed in the hydraulic chamber and engaged with the first piston;

a first valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber and operable by the controller;

a balance chamber;

a compensating piston disposed in the balance chamber;

a first passage connecting the hydraulic and balance chambers, wherein the first valve is disposed in the first passage; and

a spring biasing the first piston toward the retracted position,

wherein;

the first valve is a shutoff valve, and

the lock further comprises;

a second passage connecting the chambers; and

a check valve disposed in the second passage and operable to prevent flow from the hydraulic chamber to the balance chamber and allow flow from the balance chamber to the hydraulic chamber.

29. The tool of claim 28, further comprising:

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

the lock; and

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having the controller for receiving the first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore.

30. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to the body or a first piston,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and

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

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 first piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

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

a controller operable to release the lock in response to receiving a first instruction signal,

wherein the lock comprises;

a hydraulic chamber;

a position piston disposed in the hydraulic chamber and engaged with the first piston;

a first valve in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber and operable by the controller;

a balance chamber;

a compensating piston disposed in the balance chamber;

a first passage connecting the hydraulic and balance chambers, wherein the first valve is disposed in the first passage; and

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

an electric pump disposed in the first passage and operable to pump hydraulic fluid from the balance chamber to the hydraulic chamber.

31. The tool of claim 30, further comprising:

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

the lock; and

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having the controller for receiving the first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore.

32. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to the body or a first piston,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and

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

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 first piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

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

a controller operable to release the lock in response to receiving a first instruction signal,

wherein;

the first tubular body has a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening,

the first arm has a second actuation profile formed in an inner surface thereof and corresponding to the first actuation profile,

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,

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.

33. The tool of claim 32, 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.

34. The tool of claim 33, further comprising:

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

the lock; and

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having the controller for receiving the first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore.

35. The tool of claim 32, further comprising:

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

the lock; and

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having the controller for receiving the first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore.

36. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to the body or a first piston,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and

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

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 first piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

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

a controller operable to release the lock in response to receiving a first instruction signal,

wherein;

the first tubular body has a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening,

the first arm has a second actuation profile formed in an inner surface thereof and corresponding to the first actuation profile,

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;

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.

37. The tool of claim 36, further comprising:

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

the lock; and

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having the controller for receiving the first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore.

38. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising

a first tubular body having a bore therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof;

a first arm;

pivotally connected to the body or a first piston,

disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and

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

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 first piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening;

an annular control module, comprising;

a central bore therethrough;

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

an electronics package in communication with an antenna and having a controller operable to release the lock in response to receiving a first instruction signal from the antenna; and

the antenna in communication with the central bore for receiving the first instruction signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag pumped through the central bore,

wherein;

the first arm is pivotally connected to the first piston and rotationally coupled to the body

the first tubular body has a first actuation profile formed in a surface thereof adjacent the opening,

the first arm has a second actuation profile formed in an inner surface thereof and corresponding to the first actuation profile,

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.

39. The tool of claim 38, 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.