Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
LATERAL PROPULSION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USE IN A WELLBORE
[0001] (Deleted)
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to downhole equipment for
hydrocarbon wells. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus and method to
facilitate
the advancement of a wellbore pipestring or bottom hole assembly (BHA) into a
wellbore.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a
subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a
well that
penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. During the advancement or
manipulation
of a pipe string (e.g., a drillstring, coil tubing string, a bottom hole
assembly, etc.) in a
non-vertical wellbore (e.g., a lateral, horizontal or deviated wellbore) or a
deep wellbore,
the pipe string often is vibrated or oscillated as an aid in overcoming
frictional forces
between the pipe string and the interior surface of the wellbore. Vibrations
convert a
portion of the static frictional forces to kinetic frictional forces. However,
as the lateral
and vertical lengths of wellbores grow longer, vibrational tools are
insufficient to allow
operators to move the pipe string along these extended distances.
SUMMARY
[0004] The following introduces a selection of concepts in a simplified
form in order to
provide a foundational understanding of some aspects of the present
disclosure. The
following is not an extensive overview of the disclosure, and is not intended
to identify key
or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of the
disclosure. The
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-08
following merely presents some of the concepts of the disclosure as a prelude
to the more
detailed description provided thereafter.
[0005] According to an embodiment, an apparatus for advancing a pipe string
in a well
bore is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing configured for attachment
to a pipe
string deployed in a wellbore. The housing has a longitudinal passageway
extending
between a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a restrictor
device
disposed in the housing to restrict fluid flow through the passageway between
the first
and second ends of the housing and provide a path for fluid to exit the
passageway at the
second end of the housing. The apparatus further includes a venturi nozzle
disposed in
the housing to provide a path for fluid to exit the passageway through a
corresponding
exit port formed through a sidewall of the housing between the first and
second ends. A
first portion of the fluid exits the passageway through the venturi nozzle and
the exit port,
and a second portion of the fluid exits the passageway through the restrictor
device,
therefore urging the pipe string further into the wellbore,
[0006] According to another embodiment, an apparatus for advancing a pipe
string in
a well bore includes a housing for attachment to a pipe string. The housing
has a
longitudinal passageway that extends between first and second ends. The
apparatus
also includes an impeller disposed in the housing that is in fluid
communication with a
suction port and an exit port formed through a sidewall of the housing.
Rotation of the
impeller about the longitudinal axis of the housing draws wellbore fluid into
the housing
through the suction port, around the impeller and out of the housing through
the exit port
to thereby urge the pipe string further into the wellbore.
[0007] According to another embodiment, a method is provided for advancing a
pipe
string in a wellbore. The method includes connecting a lateral propulsion tool
within a
pipe string, the lateral propulsion tool comprising a housing and a restrictor
device
disposed in the housing to restrict fluid flow through a passageway that
extends between
first and second ends of the housing and provide a path for fluid to exit the
passageway
at the second end of the housing. The tool also includes a venturi nozzle
disposed in the
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housing to provide a path for fluid to exit the passageway through a
corresponding exit
port formed through a sidewall of the housing between the first end and the
second end.
The method comprises deploying the pipe string in a wellbore, and circulating
fluid from
the surface through the pipe string, wherein a first portion of the fluid
entering the
passageway at the first end of the housing exits the passageway through the
venturi
nozzle and the exit port and a second portion of the fluid entering the
passageway at the
first end of the housing exits the passageway at the second end through the
restrictor
device, thereby urging the pipe string further into the wellbore.
[0008] According to yet another embodiment, a method is provided for advancing
a
pipe string in a wellbore. The method comprises connecting a lateral
propulsion tool
within a pipe string. The tool includes comprising: a housing having a
longitudinal
passageway that extends between a first end and a second end of the housing,
and a
suction port and an exit port formed through a sidewall of the housing. The
tool also
includes an impeller disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with
the suction
port and the exit port. The method further comprises deploying the pipe string
in a
wellbore, and rotating the impeller about the longitudinal axis of the housing
to draw
wellbore fluid into the suction port, around the impeller and out of the
housing through the
exit port, thereby urging the pipe string further into the wellbore.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Certain embodiments of the invention are described with reference to
the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements.
It should
be understood, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only the
various
implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of
various
technologies described herein. Various embodiments of the current invention
are shown
and described in the accompanying drawings of which:
[0010]
Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a lateral propulsion apparatus tool, according
to
an embodiment.
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[0011]
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lateral propulsion apparatus tool of
Fig.
1, according to an embodiment.
[0012]
Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the lateral propulsion apparatus tool of Fig.
1,
showing internal features in dashed lines, according to an embodiment.
[0013]
Fig. 4 shows the lateral propulsion apparatus tool of Fig. 1 connected in a
pipe
string that is deployed in a wellbore, according to an embodiment
[0014] The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not
necessarily
affect the scope or meaning of what is claimed in the present disclosure.
[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best
understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be
appreciated
that like reference numbers are used to identify like elements illustrated in
one or more of
the figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating
embodiments of the
present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Various examples and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be
described.
The following description provides specific details for a thorough
understanding and enabling description of these examples. One of ordinary
skill in the
relevant art will understand, however, that one or more embodiments described
herein
may be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the
relevant art
will also understand that one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
can include
other features and/or functions not described in detail herein. Additionally,
some well-
known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail below,
so as to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.
[0017]
Certain terms are used throughout the following description to refer to
particular
features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different
persons may
refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does
not
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intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but
not function.
The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and
components herein
may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some
details of
conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0018] In the following discussion, the terms "including" and "comprising"
are used in
an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but
not limited
to." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean either an
indirect or direct
connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that
connection may be
through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other
devices,
components, and connections. Any reference to up or down in the description is
made
for purposes of clarity, with "up", "upper", "upwardly", or "upstream" meaning
toward the
surface of the borehole and with "down", "lower", "downwardly", "downhole", or
"downstream" meaning toward the terminal end of the borehole, regardless of
the
borehole orientation.
[0019] Known vibrational or other downhole devices are inadequate in
sufficiently
reducing the friction between a pipe string and the surface of a wellbore so
that operators
can achieve desired non-vertical wellbore lengths or extended vertical depths.
Accordingly, an lateral propulsion apparatus (LPA) tool is disclosed here to
aid in
propelling (or pulling) pipe string into wellbores for greater distances or
depths that can
be achieved with known vibrational devices.
[0020] Embodiments of the LPA tool disclosed herein utilize the venturi
effect, an
impeller or a combination of both to propel or pull a pipe string into a
wellbore. The venturi
effect is well known; it creates a pressure differential as fluid is pumped
through a
restriction such as an orifice or nozzle. In embodiments that employ the
venturi effect,
the LPA tool uses fluid pumped from the surface to travel through one or more
nozzles
mounted in the housing of the tool to create an area of low pressure in the
upper portion
of the tool, thereby causing wellbore fluid to travel from the lower portion
of the tool (area
of high pressure) towards the upper portion (area of low pressure). This
pressure
CA 303.3536 2018-08-08
,
differential creates a downward pulling or suction force that aids in
propelling a pipe string
deeper into a wellbore and/or further along a non-vertical portion of a
wellbore.
[0021] Embodiments of the LPA tool can also include an impeller, alone
or functioning
in conjunction with venturi nozzle(s), to further aid in the propulsion of the
pipe string. This
impeller can be similar in structure and operation to impellers that are used
in pumps,
compressors, watercraft, turbines, etc. and can be of various forms, shapes,
styles, sizes,
pitch, materials, etc. In the embodiments disclosed herein, the impeller can
be an integral
part of the LPA tool and is rotated via the rotation of the pipe string or a
downhole motor
(e.g., a downhole mud motor) in a known manner. The rotation of the pipe
string forces
wellbore fluid to enter an inlet end of the impeller and exit an outlet end.
The movement
of the wellbore fluid across the impeller also aids in the propulsion of the
pipe string into
the wellbore.
[0022] Embodiments that include the combination of venturi nozzle(s) and
an impeller
further enhance the propulsion of the pipe string. In such embodiments, the
venturi
nozzle(s) are located above the impeller (i.e., closer to the surface while in
a wellbore),
thereby aiding in the movement of wellbore fluid across the impeller. The
venturi effect
creates a low pressure at the nozzle(s), drawing fluid from the inlet side of
the impeller
towards the exit side (from the LPA's lower end toward the upper end). This
movement
of wellbore fluid generates a suction on the lower end of the apparatus, thus
pulling the
pipe string into the wellbore. As a consequence, use of the LPA tool enables
operators
to drill longer non-vertical wellbore sections or achieve greater depths
and/or perform
other functions at those extended lengths or depths.
[0023] Figs. 1-3 show an exemplary LPA tool 5 according to an embodiment. Fig.
4
illustrates the LPA tool 5 coupled within a pipe string 100 and deployed in a
wellbore 102
that extends from a surface 104 to penetrate a region of interest 106 (e.g., a
hydrocarbon-
bearing formation). Although the vertical section of the wellbore 102 is shown
in Fig. 4, it
should be understood that the wellbore 102 also can include non-vertical
sections. As
will be described below, the LPA 5 can be used to assist with the propulsion
of the pipe
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string 100 to increased vertical depths as well as increased distances along
non-vertical,
deviated or lateral sections of the wellbore 102.
[0024] As illustrated in Figs. 1-3, the LPA 5 is configured for threadable
attachment
(e.g., via threaded connections 30 and 35 at ends 10 and 15) to the pipe
string 100 (e.g.,
a drillstring, coil tubing string, or downhole mud motor assembly, as
examples) that is
deployed in the wellbore 102. The pipe string 100 includes a central bore 108
through
which fluid 110 can be introduced and circulated. The LPA 5 is positioned
within and
threadably attached to the pipe string 100 with the LPA 5 extending
longitudinally along
the axis of the pipe string 100.
[0026] For ease of description, the LPA 5 has an upper end 10 and a lower end
15.
LPA 5 includes a housing, which can include an upper housing portion 95 and a
lower
housing portion 96, an impeller 40, one or more venturi nozzle(s) 45, and a
restrictor 90.
In the embodiment illustrated, the upper housing portion 95 includes exit
port(s) 25 and a
suction inlet 20 that extend through the sidewall of the housing portion 95.
Housings
portions 95 and 96 are illustrated as individual components for ease of
manufacture and
assembly, but it should be understood that the LPA 5 can have fewer (i.e.,
one) or more
housing portions. The LPA 5 also includes an upper bore section 55 that is in
fluid
communication with the bore 108 of the pipe string 100. The upper bore section
55
terminates at a restrictor 90 that is in fluid communication with a lower bore
section 65 of
the LPA 5. The LPA 5 also includes one or more venturi nozzles 45 in fluid
communication with the upper bore section 55.
[0026] In the embodiment illustrated, the LPA 5 also includes the suction
inlet 20 with
suction inlet openings 85 that are in fluid communication with a passageway
50. The
passageway 50 provides a fluid path between the suction inlet 20 and the exit
port 25.
The embodiment of the LPA 5 shown in Figs. 1-3 also includes an impeller 40
arranged
so that fluid flowing in the passageway 50 between suction inlet 20 and exit
port 25 flows
over the impeller 40 and assists in the rotation of the impeller 40. Other
embodiments of
the LPA 5 may not include the impeller 40.
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[0027] With reference again to Figs. 1-4, fluid 110 is circulated through
the pipe string
100 by pumping from the surface 104. Circulated fluid 110 entering the upper
bore
section 55 of LPA 5 exits through either venturi nozzle(s) 45/exit ports 25 or
the restrictor
90. The size of the orifices in venturi nozzle(s) 45, the number of venturi
nozzle(s) 45/exit
ports 25, and the orifice size of the restrictor 90 determines the amount of
fluid 110 that
is forced through the venturi nozzle(s) 45 versus the amount of fluid 110 that
is allowed
to flow through the LPA 5 via the lower bore section 65 in the lower housing
section 96.
In embodiments, the LPA 5 can include more than one restrictor 90.
[0028] The orifice sizes of the venturi nozzle(s) 45 and restrictor(s) 90,
as well as
flowrate and fluid density of fluid 110, determine the pressure drop created
within LPA 5.
This pressure drop creates an area of low pressure in exit port(s) 25.
Consequently, high
pressure wellbore fluid 112 in wellbore 102 near the suction inlet 20 will be
drawn into
LPA 5 through suction inlet opening(s) 85, through the passageway 50 and will
exit the
LPA 5 through the exit port(s) 25.
[0029] In embodiments of the LPA 5 that include the impeller 40, the
wellbore fluid 112
is drawn around impeller 40 through passageway 50, and then exits port(s) 25.
The
movement of wellbore fluid 112 from a lower section of the LPA 5 toward the
upper section
of the LPA 5 will tend to pull LPA 5 downward, or deeper into a wellbore 102.
The
magnitude of the pressure drop created by venturi nozzle(s) 45 determines how
much
wellbore fluid 112 is drawn into suction opening 20, basically a measure of
its "suction".
The orifice sizes of the venturi nozzle(s) 45 and restrictor 90 can be
adjusted to meet
pressure drop requirements for particular applications.
[0030] The LPA 5 is also configured to be used in rotating applications
whereby
wellbore fluid 112 is forced into inlet opening(s) 85 as the LPA 5 rotates. As
illustrated in
Fig. 4, clockwise rotation (arrow 114) of LPA 5 urges wellbore fluid 112
towards suction
inlet 20, through inlet openings 85, around impeller 40, through passage(s)
50, and exiting
through port(s) 25. The rotation of the impeller 40 draws in wellbore fluid
112 from the
lower portion toward the upper portion of the LPA 5, again pulling LPA 5
downward, or
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deeper or further into the wellbore 102. Again, as mentioned above, the LPA 5
can be
configured with either the venturi nozzle(s) 45 or the impeller 40 alone to
propel the pipe
string 100, or the LPA 5 can include a combination of the venturi nozzle(s) 45
and the
impeller 40.
[0031] The utilization of the venturi nozzle(s) 45 in conjunction with
impeller 40 creates
a synergistic effect in which the propulsion produced is greater than the sum
of the
propulsion that can be produced by the nozzle(s) 45 or the impeller 45 alone.
[0032] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-3, the venturi nozzle(s) 45
are oriented
in an upward direction. Due to this orientation, the reaction forces from
fluid 110/112
exiting port(s) 25 will push the LPA 5 downward, deeper or further along the
wellbore 102.
In addition, the upward orientation urges cuttings or debris in wellbore 102
upwards
toward the surface 104 so that they can be removed. In embodiments, venturi
nozzle(s)
45 can be oriented in a tangential direction, as well as upwards, to also urge
the LPA 5
to rotate in the clockwise direction 114, thereby reducing torque requirements
placed
upon the pipe string 100. The rotation can also cause a swirling or whirlpool
effect upon
the cuttings to aid in removal.
[0033] The impeller 40 can be of various shapes, sizes, pitch, length,
style, number of
blades, etc. These attributes of impeller 40 are selected based on the needs
of the
specific application in which the LPA 5 is employed. Therefore, it should be
understood
that the impeller 40 shown in Figs. 1-3 is illustrative only and does not
limit the scope of
this disclosure. As shown, the impeller 40 includes a central fluid passageway
60. The
impeller 40 also can include an upper sealing element 70 and/or lower sealing
elements
75 and can be similar in configuration to impellers used in centrifugal pumps,
turbines, jet
skis or other watercraft, etc.
[0034] In one application, the LPA 5 can be used solely on a drillstring
100 where
rotation is produced via a power swivel, drilling rig rotary, or other surface
devices
commonly found on drilling or workover rigs in oil and gas operations. In this
type of
application, considered conventional drilling, a drill bit can be directly
attached to the lower
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thread 35 of LPA 5. The entire drillstring 100 as well as LPA 5 will be
rotated while in
use.
[0035] In another application, the LPA 5 can be utilized in conjunction
with a bottom
hole assembly (BHA) (i.e., in conjunction with other downhole tools), whereby
rotation is
produced via a downhole motor (e.g., a downhole mud motor). These types of
applications generally utilize coil tubing which cannot be rotated from
surface, and thus
rely on rotation produced from the downhole motor that converts fluid energy
from
circulated fluid 100 into rotational energy.
[0036] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of
the
invention, reference has been made to the embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, and
specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no
limitation
of the scope of the invention is intended by this specific language, and the
invention
should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to
one of
ordinary skill in the art. Descriptions of features or aspects within each
embodiment
should typically be considered as available for other similar features or
aspects in other
embodiments unless stated otherwise. The terminology used herein is for the
purpose of
describing the particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of
exemplary
embodiments of the invention.
[0037] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such
as")
provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and
does not pose
a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Numerous
modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those of ordinary
skill in this art
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is not confined by the detailed
description of the
invention but is defined by the following claims.
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