US20020023781A1 - Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020023781A1 US20020023781A1 US09/945,008 US94500801A US2002023781A1 US 20020023781 A1 US20020023781 A1 US 20020023781A1 US 94500801 A US94500801 A US 94500801A US 2002023781 A1 US2002023781 A1 US 2002023781A1
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- hole
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- well casing
- motor
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- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/18—Drilling by liquid or gas jets, with or without entrained pellets
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/60—Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation
- C09K8/62—Compositions for forming crevices or fractures
- C09K8/72—Eroding chemicals, e.g. acids
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/01—Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/14—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor using liquids and gases, e.g. foams
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/04—Directional drilling
- E21B7/06—Deflecting the direction of boreholes
- E21B7/061—Deflecting the direction of boreholes the tool shaft advancing relative to a guide, e.g. a curved tube or a whipstock
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for penetrating a side of a well casing and drilling into earth strata surrounding the well casing, and more particularly, to an improved method and apparatus for drilling into the surrounding earth strata utilizing a rotating fluid discharge nozzle and reduction of static head pressure in the well casing in conjunction with the drilling operation.
- a large number of wells have been drilled into earth strata for the extraction of oil, gas, and other material therefrom. In many cases, such wells are found to be initially unproductive, or decrease in productivity over time, even though it is believed that the surrounding strata still contains extractable oil, gas or other material.
- Such wells are typically vertically extending holes including a casing usually of mild steel pipe having an inner diameter of from just a few inches to about eight (8) inches in diameter for the transportation of the oil, gas or other material upwardly to the earth's surface.
- the known apparatus of Landers utilizes a non-rotating blasting type fluid nozzle wherein fluid under pressure is directed at the earth's strata has been found to be unable to produce a hole in the strata of more than a few inches in depth.
- This shortcoming is believed to be due largely to the inability of the non-rotating blaster type nozzles to form a passage in the strata sufficiently unobstructed to allow advancement of the nozzle into the strata, particularly in strata having suitable porosity and permeability characteristics for oil, gas and/or other commercial products.
- any formation that a well is located in will produce a given hydrostatic head in the well which is equal to the formation pressure.
- the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
- a method for penetrating a well casing and surrounding earth strata at a desired elevation within a well including the steps of:
- apparatus adapted for drilling into strata surrounding a well casing through an existing hole in a side of the well casing.
- the apparatus includes:
- a flexible tube adapted for passage through the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and the second end;
- a nozzle adapted for passage through the hole in the side of the well casing mounted to the first end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube;
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a well in fragmentary cross section and apparatus according to the present invention therein in position for penetrating the well casing thereof;
- FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the well and apparatus of FIG. 1 in partial cross-section showing the apparatus being used to form a hole through the casing;
- FIG. 2A is an fragmentary enlarged fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 2B is another enlarged fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the well and apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the completed hole through the casing;
- FIG. 3A is an exploded side view of a cutter of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view in section showing apparatus according to the present invention for drilling strata surrounding the well casing;
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view in partial cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 4;
- FIG. 5A is a fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in an extended position
- FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 drilling an extension of the hole of FIG. 2 into the strata and reducing a hydrostatic head over the hole;
- FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing an acid or a gas being injected into the extension of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing flow of material from the extension during reduction of the hydrostatic head;
- FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in partial cross-section.
- FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9 - 9 of FIG. 9;
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show apparatus 10 constructed and operable according to the present invention for penetrating a well casing 12 and surrounding earth strata 14 .
- Well casing 12 consists of steel piping extending from a well head 16 on or near the earth's surface 18 downwardly through strata 14 into a formation therein which hopefully contains oil and/or gas.
- Well casing 12 is of conventional construction defining an interior passage 20 of from between about 4 to about 8 inches in diameter and from several hundred to several thousand feet in depth.
- Cement or other material 22 is typically located around well casing 12 to hold it in place and prevent leakage from the well.
- Well head 16 includes a cap 24 having an opening 26 therethrough communicating passage 20 with a conventional oil saver device 27 , and a tee 28 including an access port 30 .
- Apparatus 10 includes a quantity of flexible tubing 32 adapted for holding fluid under pressure sufficient for drilling the formation. For instance, pressure of as high as about 10,000 psi have been used for wells at depths of about 2000 feet from the surface, and higher pressures such as about 15,000 psi can be used for drilling at greater depths.
- the fluid under pressure is supplied by a pump 34 connected to a fluid source 36 such as a city water supply, a water tank or the like.
- Flexible tubing 32 is stored on a reel 38 from which the tubing is fed into a length of more rigid tubing 40 which extends a desired distance down through interior passage 20 of casing 12 to a desired elevation below the earth's surface.
- Tubing 40 terminates in passage 20 of casing 12 at a coupling with a down hole unit 42 suspended in passage 20 by tubing 40 .
- Down hole unit 42 includes a tubular motor housing 44 , an upper receiving tube 46 and a kick-off shoe unit 48 .
- Kick-off shoe unit 48 includes a tubular casing drill receiving unit 50 , an air jet tube 52 and a bottom-most kick-off shoe 54 .
- Tubing 40 and down hole unit 42 including motor housing 44 , upper receiving tube 46 , and all of the above discussed components of kick-off shoe unit 48 remain in the position shown down hole in casing 12 throughout operation of apparatus 10 .
- Flexible tubing 32 extends through a cavity 56 extending through tubing 40 and down hole unit 42 , and terminates at a coupler 58 shown supporting a casing drill unit 60 in FIG. 2.
- Casing drill unit 60 includes a fluid driven motor 62 connected in fluid communication with flexible tubing 32 .
- Motor 62 is constructed essentially as shown in FIG. 9A, and is connected to an output shaft 64 operatively rotatable thereby and including a terminal end 66 supporting a plurality of universal joints 68 for rotation therewith, including an end most universal joint 68 having a conical shaped casing cutter 70 mounted thereto for rotation therewith.
- a protective sheath 72 is also mounted about output shaft 64 and defines an inner cavity (not shown) for containing and protecting universal joints 68 and casing cutter 70 as those members are lowered through cavity 56 of tubing 40 and down hole unit 42 .
- sheath 72 will come into abutting relation with a beveled edge 74 within kick-off shoe 54 thus stopping downward travel of the sheath, while casing cutter 70 and universal joints 68 will proceed into shoe 54 , travel around an elbow 76 therein, such that casing cutter 70 will come as shown to rest against the inner surface of casing 12 .
- shoe 54 includes a plurality of rollers 78 to facilitate travel of cutter 70 and universal joints 68 through elbow 76
- output shaft 64 includes a swivel 80 for alignment purposes.
- casing drill unit 60 additionally includes an upper portion 178 connected to flexible tubing 32 via coupler 58 , and a spring loaded dog assembly 180 disposed between upper portion 178 and motor 62 .
- Dog assembly 180 includes a compression coil spring 182 disposed between upper portion 178 and a dog housing 184 including a plurality of dogs 186 pivotally mounted in slots 188 at angularly spaced locations around housing 184 . Dogs 186 are maintained in engagement with a spring retainer 190 by spring 182 in a retracted position (FIG. 2A) and are moveable in opposition to the spring to a radially extended position (FIG.
- dogs 186 engage a splined inner circumferential surface 192 of casing drill receiving unit 50 for preventing rotating of casing drill unit 60 therein. Then, after the casing drilling operation is completed as explained next, and casing drill unit 60 is withdrawn from receiving unit 50 , dogs 186 retract to allow passage upwardly through the upper portion of down hole unit 42 and tubing 40 .
- annular drill stop 84 extends around casing cutter 70 at a predetermined location spaced from the tip thereof to prevent casing cutter 70 from cutting substantially past casing 12 into cement 22 .
- a consumable shim 194 is disposed between cutter 70 and drill stop 84 which is mounted to endmost universal joint 68 . Shim 194 is damaged by rotating contact with the inner surface of casing 12 and importantly can be inspected after withdrawal of unit 60 from casing 12 for verify that hole 82 has been properly formed.
- a strata drill unit 86 of apparatus 10 is mounted to flexible tubing 32 and lowered through cavity 56 of tubing 40 and down hole unit 42 to kick-off shoe 54 .
- Strata drill unit 86 includes a fluid driven motor 88 located in motor housing 44 , motor housing 44 having an inside cross-sectional shape at least marginally larger than the outer cross-sectional shape of motor 88 , as will be discussed.
- a rigid tube 90 is connected to motor 88 for rotation thereby. Rigid tube 90 terminates at an upper end 92 of a set down device 94 .
- set down device 94 includes a threaded passage 96 extending therethrough and communicating with an internal passage 98 of a rigid tubular sheath 100 .
- Sheath 100 includes a bottom most terminal end 102 positionable in abutment with beveled edge 74 of kick-off shoe 54 for positioning internal passage 98 in communication with elbow 76 (FIG. 4).
- a flexible tube 104 has an upper end 106 mounted to rigid tube 90 for rotation therewith by an externally threaded coupler 108 adapted for threaded engagement with set down device 94 in threaded passage 96 .
- Flexible tube 104 When coupler 108 is threadedly engaged with set down device 94 , flexible tube 104 is located and protected within internal passage 98 of sheath 100 .
- Flexible tube 104 includes a lower end 110 opposite upper end 106 , and an internal passage 112 therethrough connecting upper end 106 with lower end 110 .
- a nozzle 114 is mounted to lower end 110 of tube 104 in fluid communication with internal passage 112 .
- Nozzle 114 includes a plurality of apertures 116 therethrough. Referring more particularly to FIGS.
- motor 88 is operable to rotate rigid tube 90 to threadedly disengage coupler 108 from threaded passage 96 of set down device 94 to allow nozzle 114 and lower end 110 of flexible tube 104 to drop beneath sheath 100 , for entering elbow 76 of shoe 54 .
- FIG. 6 As flexible tube 104 is continually lowered, lower end 110 and nozzle 114 will pass through elbow 76 of shoe 54 and into hole 82 through casing 12 , hole 82 having a slightly tapered shape corresponding to the shape of casing cutter 70 .
- nozzle 114 As nozzle 114 advances through hole 82 , it is rotated as denoted by the arrow B by motor 88 (FIG. 4) and fluid from fluid source 36 is pressurized by pump 34 (FIG. 1) and communicated to nozzle 114 through motor 88 , rigid tube 90 (FIG. 4), and flexible tube 104 , as denoted by the arrow C.
- the fluid under pressure is discharged from nozzle 114 through apertures 116 against cement and strata 14 lying beyond hole 82 , as denoted by the arrows D.
- the fluid under pressure impinging the cement and/or strata 14 in combination with the rotation of nozzle 114 , operates to loosen and dislodge particles to thereby drill an extension 118 of hole 82 into the cement and/or strata 14 .
- a fluid flow as shown by the arrows 120 is created by the discharged fluid for carrying the particles through extension 118 and hole 82 so as to be discharged into interior passage 20 of casing 12 as denoted by arrow 122 .
- air jet tube 52 has a plurality of air jets 124 communicating internal passage 56 extending through tubing 40 and down hole unit 42 with interior passage 20 of casing 12 .
- a compressor 126 is located on surface 18 and includes a high pressure line 128 connected through access port 30 with internal passage 56 .
- Compressor 126 is conventionally operable to compress air and direct the air through high pressure line 128 into internal passage 56 wherein the pressurized air travels downwardly to air jets 124 and is discharged into interior passage 20 as denoted by the arrows 130 .
- compressor 126 , line 128 , tubing 40 and the components of down hole unit 42 should be constructed so as to be sufficiently strong to withstand the pressures necessary for carrying air under pressure to the contemplated depth and discharging the air through air jets 124 .
- An important purpose for discharging air under pressure into interior passage 20 is to use the air as a vehicle for transporting water and other liquids in interior passage 20 upwardly through the passage so as to be discharged through an access port 131 at the earth surface 18 , or through some other convenient port at the surface, to effectively reduce any hydrostatic head that may be present.
- air jet tube 52 includes a venturi hood 132 over jets 124 designed for directing air discharged from the jets upwardly so as to provide a venturi like effect.
- air or gas under pressure can be injected into flexible tubing 32 so as to be discharged through apertures 116 of nozzle 114 , for clearing any debris or blockage that may be present therein and for clearing accumulated debris from extension 118 .
- a suitable pressure for the air or gas has been found to be about 2,000 psi or greater, and it can be injected by a high pressure compressor 133 or other suitable device connected to tubing 32 at pumps 34 as shown or at another suitable location. This is believed to be effective because with the reduction of the hydrostatic head in the well, when the air or gas under pressure exits apertures 116 the air or gas will expand and move at high velocity toward casing 12 to urge the cuttings from extension 118 .
- the hydrostatic head can be reduced by pumping air through air jets 124 in the above-described manner as denoted by the arrows 130 to reduce the hydrostatic head, such that the acid, gas and/or reaction products can flow from the strata 14 in the vicinity of extension 118 , through hole 82 and into casing 12 , wherein those materials can be carried by the pressurized air to well head 16 .
- the material can exit casing 12 through access port 131 and be collected in a suitable repository, such as the storage tank illustrated. There, the material can be examined to ascertain the success of the acid or gas injection to determine whether drilling and/or injection should be continued.
- Motor 88 includes an inlet nipple 134 coupled in fluid communication with tubing 32 by a coupler 136 for receiving pressurized fluid from pump 34 therethrough. Coupler 136 also supports motor 88 , rigid tube 90 , flexible tube 104 and nozzle 114 . Motor 88 includes an outer case 138 defining an internal cavity 140 containing a fluid motor unit 142 connected in driving relation to a plurality of gear reducers 144 , including a final gear reducer having an output shaft 146 driven by fluid motor unit 142 . Referring also to FIG.
- fluid motor unit 142 is a vane type fluid motor having an eccentric 148 including a plurality of radially moveable vanes 150 of solid brass, copper or other substantially rigid material. Motor 62 discussed above is constructed essentially the same. Motor unit 142 is connected in driving relation to a drive shaft 152 for relative eccentric rotation to an inner circumferential surface 154 of an inner case 156 under force of pressurized fluid received through inlet nipple 134 . The fluid is then discharged from inner case 156 through discharge ports 158 into internal cavity 140 wherein the pressurized fluid travels to an inlet port 160 of a hollow motor output shaft 162 . Output shaft 162 passes through outer case 138 and is coupled to rigid tube 90 by a coupler 164 . Output shaft 162 includes an internal passage 166 thus connected in fluid communication with internal passage 112 through tube 90 and tube 104 , for delivering the pressurized fluid to nozzle 114 .
- the pressurized fluid carried through tubing 32 to motor 88 can be at a pressure of as high 10,000 psi or greater.
- an O-ring 168 is located around inlet nipple 134
- a second O-ring 170 extends around the juncture of two parts of outer case 138
- a series of O-rings or packing 172 extend around motor output shaft 162 as it passes through case 138 .
- a thrust bearing 174 and ball bearings 176 are provided in association with output shaft 162 for the smooth rotation of tubes 90 and 104 , and nozzle 114 .
Abstract
Apparatus and method for drilling into strata adjacent to a well casing through an existing hole in a side of the well casing at a desired elevation therein, including a flexible tube for passage through the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and the second end, a nozzle for passage through the hole on the first end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube, and structure suspendable in the well casing and connected to the second end of the flexible tube for supporting the flexible tube and the nozzle in the well casing at the desired elevation for passage through the hole, the structure including an element for rotating the flexible tube and the nozzle when extending through the hole relative to the structure, and the structure including an internal passage connected in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube and connectable to a source of fluid under pressure for delivering the fluid under pressure to the flexible tube such that the fluid under pressure will pass through the flexible tube and be discharged through the at least one aperture of the nozzle to drill an extension of the hole into the strata as the flexible tube and the nozzle are rotated.
Description
- This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for penetrating a side of a well casing and drilling into earth strata surrounding the well casing, and more particularly, to an improved method and apparatus for drilling into the surrounding earth strata utilizing a rotating fluid discharge nozzle and reduction of static head pressure in the well casing in conjunction with the drilling operation.
- A large number of wells have been drilled into earth strata for the extraction of oil, gas, and other material therefrom. In many cases, such wells are found to be initially unproductive, or decrease in productivity over time, even though it is believed that the surrounding strata still contains extractable oil, gas or other material. Such wells are typically vertically extending holes including a casing usually of mild steel pipe having an inner diameter of from just a few inches to about eight (8) inches in diameter for the transportation of the oil, gas or other material upwardly to the earth's surface.
- In an attempt to obtain production from unproductive wells and increase production in under producing wells, methods and apparatus for cutting a hole in the well casing and forming a lateral passage therefrom into the surrounding earth strata are known. Reference for instance, Landers U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,184 issued May 9, 1995; and Schellsteed U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,362 issued Feb. 3, 1987, which disclose exemplary methods and apparatus for producing lateral holes in the earth's strata surrounding a well casing. However, such known methods and apparatus have not yet been known to provide satisfactory results. In particular, the known apparatus of Landers utilizes a non-rotating blasting type fluid nozzle wherein fluid under pressure is directed at the earth's strata has been found to be unable to produce a hole in the strata of more than a few inches in depth. This shortcoming is believed to be due largely to the inability of the non-rotating blaster type nozzles to form a passage in the strata sufficiently unobstructed to allow advancement of the nozzle into the strata, particularly in strata having suitable porosity and permeability characteristics for oil, gas and/or other commercial products. Also, it has been found that any formation that a well is located in will produce a given hydrostatic head in the well which is equal to the formation pressure. This is problematic because the formation has a capability of absorbing fluid around the nozzle, including immediately ahead of and shortly behind the nozzle, when the hydrostatic head becomes greater than the formation pressure, resulting in at least partial and in many cases total stoppage of movement of cuttings away from the nozzle.
- Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for penetrating a well casing and surrounding earth strata at a desired elevation within a well is disclosed, the method including the steps of:
- a) forming a hole through said well casing at the desired elevation;
- b) inserting a flexible tube having a nozzle on an end thereof into said hole; and
- c) pumping a fluid into the flexible tube and out through the nozzle while rotating said nozzle for drilling an extension of said hole into said earth strata.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, apparatus adapted for drilling into strata surrounding a well casing through an existing hole in a side of the well casing is disclosed. The apparatus includes:
- a flexible tube adapted for passage through the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and the second end;
- a nozzle adapted for passage through the hole in the side of the well casing mounted to the first end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube;
- structure attached to the second end of the tube for supporting the tube in the well casing;
- structure for rotating at least the nozzle; and
- structure for communicating fluid under pressure to the second end of the flexible tube for passage through the tube and discharge through the nozzle during the rotation thereof.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a well in fragmentary cross section and apparatus according to the present invention therein in position for penetrating the well casing thereof;
- FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the well and apparatus of FIG. 1 in partial cross-section showing the apparatus being used to form a hole through the casing;
- FIG. 2A is an fragmentary enlarged fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 2B is another enlarged fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the well and apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the completed hole through the casing;
- FIG. 3A is an exploded side view of a cutter of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view in section showing apparatus according to the present invention for drilling strata surrounding the well casing;
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view in partial cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 4;
- FIG. 5A is a fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in an extended position;
- FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 drilling an extension of the hole of FIG. 2 into the strata and reducing a hydrostatic head over the hole;
- FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing an acid or a gas being injected into the extension of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing flow of material from the extension during reduction of the hydrostatic head;
- FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in partial cross-section; and,
- FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line9-9 of FIG. 9;
- FIGS. 1 and 2
show apparatus 10 constructed and operable according to the present invention for penetrating awell casing 12 and surroundingearth strata 14. Wellcasing 12 consists of steel piping extending from awell head 16 on or near the earth'ssurface 18 downwardly throughstrata 14 into a formation therein which hopefully contains oil and/or gas. Wellcasing 12 is of conventional construction defining aninterior passage 20 of from between about 4 to about 8 inches in diameter and from several hundred to several thousand feet in depth. Cement orother material 22 is typically located around wellcasing 12 to hold it in place and prevent leakage from the well. Wellhead 16 includes acap 24 having an opening 26therethrough communicating passage 20 with a conventionaloil saver device 27, and atee 28 including anaccess port 30. -
Apparatus 10 includes a quantity offlexible tubing 32 adapted for holding fluid under pressure sufficient for drilling the formation. For instance, pressure of as high as about 10,000 psi have been used for wells at depths of about 2000 feet from the surface, and higher pressures such as about 15,000 psi can be used for drilling at greater depths. The fluid under pressure is supplied by apump 34 connected to afluid source 36 such as a city water supply, a water tank or the like.Flexible tubing 32 is stored on areel 38 from which the tubing is fed into a length of morerigid tubing 40 which extends a desired distance down throughinterior passage 20 ofcasing 12 to a desired elevation below the earth's surface. Tubing 40 terminates inpassage 20 ofcasing 12 at a coupling with adown hole unit 42 suspended inpassage 20 bytubing 40.Down hole unit 42 includes atubular motor housing 44, anupper receiving tube 46 and a kick-offshoe unit 48. Kick-off shoe unit 48 includes a tubular casingdrill receiving unit 50, anair jet tube 52 and a bottom-most kick-offshoe 54.Tubing 40 and downhole unit 42, includingmotor housing 44,upper receiving tube 46, and all of the above discussed components of kick-offshoe unit 48 remain in the position shown down hole incasing 12 throughout operation ofapparatus 10. -
Flexible tubing 32 extends through acavity 56 extending throughtubing 40 and downhole unit 42, and terminates at acoupler 58 shown supporting acasing drill unit 60 in FIG. 2.Casing drill unit 60 includes a fluid drivenmotor 62 connected in fluid communication withflexible tubing 32.Motor 62 is constructed essentially as shown in FIG. 9A, and is connected to anoutput shaft 64 operatively rotatable thereby and including aterminal end 66 supporting a plurality ofuniversal joints 68 for rotation therewith, including an end most universal joint 68 having a conical shapedcasing cutter 70 mounted thereto for rotation therewith. Aprotective sheath 72 is also mounted aboutoutput shaft 64 and defines an inner cavity (not shown) for containing and protectinguniversal joints 68 andcasing cutter 70 as those members are lowered throughcavity 56 oftubing 40 and downhole unit 42. Ascasing drill unit 60 is lowered throughcavity 56,sheath 72 will come into abutting relation with abeveled edge 74 within kick-offshoe 54 thus stopping downward travel of the sheath, whilecasing cutter 70 anduniversal joints 68 will proceed intoshoe 54, travel around anelbow 76 therein, such thatcasing cutter 70 will come as shown to rest against the inner surface ofcasing 12. In this regard,shoe 54 includes a plurality ofrollers 78 to facilitate travel ofcutter 70 anduniversal joints 68 throughelbow 76, andoutput shaft 64 includes aswivel 80 for alignment purposes. - Also referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B,
casing drill unit 60 additionally includes anupper portion 178 connected toflexible tubing 32 viacoupler 58, and a spring loadeddog assembly 180 disposed betweenupper portion 178 andmotor 62.Dog assembly 180 includes acompression coil spring 182 disposed betweenupper portion 178 and adog housing 184 including a plurality ofdogs 186 pivotally mounted inslots 188 at angularly spaced locations aroundhousing 184.Dogs 186 are maintained in engagement with aspring retainer 190 byspring 182 in a retracted position (FIG. 2A) and are moveable in opposition to the spring to a radially extended position (FIG. 2B) whensheath 72 forcibly contacts bevelededge 74 of kick-off shoe 54 (FIG. 2). When radially extended,dogs 186 engage a splined innercircumferential surface 192 of casingdrill receiving unit 50 for preventing rotating ofcasing drill unit 60 therein. Then, after the casing drilling operation is completed as explained next, andcasing drill unit 60 is withdrawn from receivingunit 50,dogs 186 retract to allow passage upwardly through the upper portion ofdown hole unit 42 andtubing 40. - Referring also to FIG. 3, rotation of
casing cutter 70 ofapparatus 10 as shown by arrow A, bymotor 62 while urged against the inner surface of casing 12 results incasing cutter 70 cutting throughcasing 12, producing ahole 82. Importantly, anannular drill stop 84 extends aroundcasing cutter 70 at a predetermined location spaced from the tip thereof to preventcasing cutter 70 from cutting substantially past casing 12 intocement 22. Upon formation ofhole 82, operation withcasing drill unit 60 is complete, and that unit can be withdrawn from downhole unit 42 andtubing 40. - Referring to FIG. 3A, a
consumable shim 194 is disposed betweencutter 70 and drill stop 84 which is mounted to endmostuniversal joint 68.Shim 194 is damaged by rotating contact with the inner surface ofcasing 12 and importantly can be inspected after withdrawal ofunit 60 from casing 12 for verify thathole 82 has been properly formed. - Referring to FIG. 4, after withdrawal of
casing drill unit 60, astrata drill unit 86 ofapparatus 10 is mounted toflexible tubing 32 and lowered throughcavity 56 oftubing 40 and downhole unit 42 to kick-offshoe 54.Strata drill unit 86 includes a fluid drivenmotor 88 located inmotor housing 44,motor housing 44 having an inside cross-sectional shape at least marginally larger than the outer cross-sectional shape ofmotor 88, as will be discussed. Arigid tube 90 is connected tomotor 88 for rotation thereby.Rigid tube 90 terminates at anupper end 92 of a set downdevice 94. - Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 5A, set down
device 94 includes a threadedpassage 96 extending therethrough and communicating with aninternal passage 98 of a rigidtubular sheath 100.Sheath 100 includes a bottom mostterminal end 102 positionable in abutment withbeveled edge 74 of kick-offshoe 54 for positioninginternal passage 98 in communication with elbow 76 (FIG. 4). Aflexible tube 104 has anupper end 106 mounted torigid tube 90 for rotation therewith by an externally threadedcoupler 108 adapted for threaded engagement with set downdevice 94 in threadedpassage 96. Whencoupler 108 is threadedly engaged with set downdevice 94,flexible tube 104 is located and protected withininternal passage 98 ofsheath 100.Flexible tube 104 includes alower end 110 oppositeupper end 106, and aninternal passage 112 therethrough connectingupper end 106 withlower end 110. Anozzle 114 is mounted tolower end 110 oftube 104 in fluid communication withinternal passage 112.Nozzle 114 includes a plurality ofapertures 116 therethrough. Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4, 5 and 5A,motor 88 is operable to rotaterigid tube 90 to threadedlydisengage coupler 108 from threadedpassage 96 of set downdevice 94 to allownozzle 114 andlower end 110 offlexible tube 104 to drop beneathsheath 100, for enteringelbow 76 ofshoe 54. - Turning to FIG. 6 as
flexible tube 104 is continually lowered,lower end 110 andnozzle 114 will pass throughelbow 76 ofshoe 54 and intohole 82 throughcasing 12,hole 82 having a slightly tapered shape corresponding to the shape ofcasing cutter 70. Asnozzle 114 advances throughhole 82, it is rotated as denoted by the arrow B by motor 88 (FIG. 4) and fluid fromfluid source 36 is pressurized by pump 34 (FIG. 1) and communicated tonozzle 114 throughmotor 88, rigid tube 90 (FIG. 4), andflexible tube 104, as denoted by the arrow C. The fluid under pressure is discharged fromnozzle 114 throughapertures 116 against cement andstrata 14 lying beyondhole 82, as denoted by the arrows D. The fluid under pressure impinging the cement and/orstrata 14, in combination with the rotation ofnozzle 114, operates to loosen and dislodge particles to thereby drill anextension 118 ofhole 82 into the cement and/orstrata 14. Additionally, a fluid flow as shown by thearrows 120 is created by the discharged fluid for carrying the particles throughextension 118 andhole 82 so as to be discharged intointerior passage 20 ofcasing 12 as denoted byarrow 122. - During the strata drilling step, it has been found that if a hydrostatic head having a pressure greater than the formation pressure in
extension 118 is present above the drilling location, for instance, resultant from the addition of water or liquid from the strata drilling operation to the column of liquid normally present incasing 12, liquid will be absorbed into the formation or strata aroundnozzle 114 andflexible tube 104, so as to stop the fluid and particle flow denoted byarrows 120. For instance, it has been found when attempting to drill anextension 118 at a depth of about 2500 feet below the earth's surface and with a hydrostatic head which has greater head pressure than the formation pressure, little to no drilling progress could be made, which is believed largely due to limitations on particle andfluid flow 120 caused by the hydrostatic head. - To mitigate the above discussed problems relating to a large hydrostatic head,
air jet tube 52 has a plurality ofair jets 124 communicatinginternal passage 56 extending throughtubing 40 and downhole unit 42 withinterior passage 20 ofcasing 12. Referring back to FIG. 1, acompressor 126 is located onsurface 18 and includes ahigh pressure line 128 connected throughaccess port 30 withinternal passage 56.Compressor 126 is conventionally operable to compress air and direct the air throughhigh pressure line 128 intointernal passage 56 wherein the pressurized air travels downwardly toair jets 124 and is discharged intointerior passage 20 as denoted by thearrows 130. Here, it should be noted thatcompressor 126,line 128,tubing 40 and the components ofdown hole unit 42 should be constructed so as to be sufficiently strong to withstand the pressures necessary for carrying air under pressure to the contemplated depth and discharging the air throughair jets 124. An important purpose for discharging air under pressure intointerior passage 20 is to use the air as a vehicle for transporting water and other liquids ininterior passage 20 upwardly through the passage so as to be discharged through an access port 131 at theearth surface 18, or through some other convenient port at the surface, to effectively reduce any hydrostatic head that may be present. Further in this regard,air jet tube 52 includes aventuri hood 132 overjets 124 designed for directing air discharged from the jets upwardly so as to provide a venturi like effect. - Here, it should be noted that periodically during the strata drilling step, air or gas under pressure can be injected into
flexible tubing 32 so as to be discharged throughapertures 116 ofnozzle 114, for clearing any debris or blockage that may be present therein and for clearing accumulated debris fromextension 118. A suitable pressure for the air or gas has been found to be about 2,000 psi or greater, and it can be injected by ahigh pressure compressor 133 or other suitable device connected totubing 32 atpumps 34 as shown or at another suitable location. This is believed to be effective because with the reduction of the hydrostatic head in the well, when the air or gas under pressure exitsapertures 116 the air or gas will expand and move at high velocity towardcasing 12 to urge the cuttings fromextension 118. - Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, after
extension 118 has been drilled to a desired extent, the delivery of air to airjets 124 can be stopped, to allow the hydrostatic head to again build up. Then, once the hydrostatic head is sufficiently high, an acid, mixture of acid and another substance, or a gas contained in atank 135 on the earth'ssurface 18 can be injected intoflexible tubing 32 under pressure supplied bycompressor 133, pump 34 or another suitable device, so as to be conveyed throughflexible tube 104 tonozzle 114 and discharged throughapertures 116 thereof intostrata 14 surroundingextension 118. This has been found to be an advantageous procedure, as the acid, mixture or gas is delivered in a pristine condition to thestrata surrounding extension 118, for etching or otherwise reacting with alkaline materials in the strata, for increasing the production potential at that location. Here, the presence of the hydrostatic head has been found to provide a pressurized condition in well casing 12 which is sufficient to maintain the acid or gas localized withinextension 118 where it is desired. - Referring also to FIG. 8, after a sufficient period of time for the acid or gas to perform its desired function has elapsed, the hydrostatic head can be reduced by pumping air through
air jets 124 in the above-described manner as denoted by thearrows 130 to reduce the hydrostatic head, such that the acid, gas and/or reaction products can flow from thestrata 14 in the vicinity ofextension 118, throughhole 82 and intocasing 12, wherein those materials can be carried by the pressurized air towell head 16. At wellhead 16 the material can exitcasing 12 through access port 131 and be collected in a suitable repository, such as the storage tank illustrated. There, the material can be examined to ascertain the success of the acid or gas injection to determine whether drilling and/or injection should be continued. - As noted above, it is important to rotate
nozzle 114 during the strata drilling step such thatextension 118 is of sufficient size and is unobstructed to allow the advancement ofnozzle 114 andflexible cube 104 therethrough. Rotation offlexible tube 104 andnozzle 114 is preferably achieved usingmotor 88. - Turning to FIG. 9,
motor 88 is shown.Motor 88 includes aninlet nipple 134 coupled in fluid communication withtubing 32 by acoupler 136 for receiving pressurized fluid frompump 34 therethrough.Coupler 136 also supportsmotor 88,rigid tube 90,flexible tube 104 andnozzle 114.Motor 88 includes anouter case 138 defining aninternal cavity 140 containing afluid motor unit 142 connected in driving relation to a plurality ofgear reducers 144, including a final gear reducer having anoutput shaft 146 driven byfluid motor unit 142. Referring also to FIG. 9A,fluid motor unit 142 is a vane type fluid motor having an eccentric 148 including a plurality of radiallymoveable vanes 150 of solid brass, copper or other substantially rigid material.Motor 62 discussed above is constructed essentially the same.Motor unit 142 is connected in driving relation to adrive shaft 152 for relative eccentric rotation to an innercircumferential surface 154 of aninner case 156 under force of pressurized fluid received throughinlet nipple 134. The fluid is then discharged frominner case 156 throughdischarge ports 158 intointernal cavity 140 wherein the pressurized fluid travels to aninlet port 160 of a hollowmotor output shaft 162.Output shaft 162 passes throughouter case 138 and is coupled torigid tube 90 by acoupler 164.Output shaft 162 includes aninternal passage 166 thus connected in fluid communication withinternal passage 112 throughtube 90 andtube 104, for delivering the pressurized fluid tonozzle 114. - As noted above, the pressurized fluid carried through
tubing 32 tomotor 88 can be at a pressure of as high 10,000 psi or greater. To enablemotor assembly 88 to withstand and contain such pressures without significant leaking, an O-ring 168 is located aroundinlet nipple 134, a second O-ring 170 extends around the juncture of two parts ofouter case 138, and a series of O-rings or packing 172 extend aroundmotor output shaft 162 as it passes throughcase 138. Additionally, athrust bearing 174 andball bearings 176 are provided in association withoutput shaft 162 for the smooth rotation oftubes nozzle 114. - Industrial Applicability
- Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
Claims (8)
1. Apparatus for drilling into strata adjacent to a well casing through an existing hole in a side of the well casing at a desired elevation therein, comprising:
a flexible tube for passage through the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and the second end;
a nozzle for passage through the hole on the first end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube; and
structure suspendable in the well casing and connected to the second end of the flexible tube for supporting the flexible tube and the nozzle in the well casing at the desired elevation for passage through the hole, the structure including an element for rotating the flexible tube and the nozzle when extending through the hole relative to the structure, and the structure including an internal passage connected in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube and connectable to a source of fluid under pressure for delivering the fluid under pressure to the flexible tube such that the fluid under pressure will pass through the flexible tube and be discharged through the at least one aperture of the nozzle to drill an extension of the hole into the strata as the flexible tube and the nozzle are rotated.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a sheath containing the flexible tube, the sheath being engageable with an element in the well casing having an elbow therethrough aligned with the hole in the side of the well casing, the element for rotating the flexible tube comprising a fluid driven motor, and the flexible tube and the structure including threadedly engaged members which support the flexible tube in the sheath, the motor being operable for rotating the flexible tube for threadedly disengaging the flexible tube from the structure to allow the flexible tube to be lowered from the sheath to enter the hole in the side of the well casing through the elbow.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein an elongate rigid tube is connected between the motor and the flexible tube.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the fluid motor is connected to the internal passage of the structure for receiving the fluid under pressure for operating the motor, the motor including at least one port communicating with the internal cavity of the flexible tube for discharging the fluid under pressure from the motor to the flexible tube.
5. A method for drilling into strata adjacent to a well casing through an existing hole in the side of the well casing at a desired elevation therein, comprising the steps of:
providing a flexible tube extendible through the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and the second end, a nozzle extendible through the hole on the second end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube;
providing structure for supporting the flexible tube and nozzle for entry into the hole in the side of the well casing, the structure including a fluid drivable motor drivingly connected to the flexible tube for rotating the flexible tube relative to the structure when fluid under pressure flows through the motor, the structure including an internal passage connecting a source of fluid under pressure to the motor and connecting a fluid discharge port of the motor with the internal cavity of the flexible tube for flow of the fluid under pressure thereto;
positioning the structure in the well casing with the nozzle of the flexible tube in position for entering the hole in the side of the well casing; and
lowering the flexible tube while supplying fluid under pressure to the motor for drivingly rotating the flexible tube and the nozzle and for directing the fluid under pressure discharged from the motor through the flexible tube and the nozzle so as to impinge the strata adjacent to the well casing for drilling an extension of the hole into the adjacent strata.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the structure for supporting the flexible tube includes an element threadedly engaged with the flexible tube and the flexible tube is contained in a protective sheath such that as the rotation of the flexible tube is initiated, the flexible tube will be threadedly disengaged from the structure to allow the flexible tube to be lowered from the sheath.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the structure is positioned in the well by engaging a bottom end of the sheath with a kick-off shoe located in the well casing at the desired elevation, thereby positioning the flexible tube for entry into an elbow of the kick-off shoe having an opposite end aligned with the existing hole in the side of the well casing.
8. Apparatus for forming a hole in the side of a well casing at a desired elevation within a well, comprising:
a rotatable cutter on an end of a flexible shaft and structure positioning and supporting the cutter with a tip thereof in position for cutting the hole into the side of the casing at the desired elevation; and
a drill stop positioned directly adjacent to a largest diametrical portion of the cutter for preventing an end of the cutter opposite the tip from passing into the hole in the side of the casing, the drill stop including a consumable shim positioned for contacting the side of the casing around the hole so as to be damaged by the contact for providing evidence that the hole has been formed to a desired extent therein.
Priority Applications (1)
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US09/945,008 US20020023781A1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 2001-08-31 | Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle |
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US09/260,393 US6283230B1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 1999-03-01 | Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle |
US09/945,008 US20020023781A1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 2001-08-31 | Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle |
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US09/260,393 Division US6283230B1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 1999-03-01 | Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle |
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US09/945,008 Abandoned US20020023781A1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 2001-08-31 | Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle |
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US09/260,393 Expired - Lifetime US6283230B1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 1999-03-01 | Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle |
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- 1999-03-01 US US09/260,393 patent/US6283230B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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2001
- 2001-08-31 US US09/945,008 patent/US20020023781A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2287843C (en) | 2007-10-23 |
US6283230B1 (en) | 2001-09-04 |
CA2287843A1 (en) | 2000-09-01 |
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