Permanent or removable positioning apparatus and method for downhole tool operations

A system for locating a tool relative to a location connector that connects a first tubular to a second tubular, the system comprising:

• a first tubular having an end;
• a second tubular having an end;
• a location connector comprising:
• a cylindrical main body extending in a longitudinal direction and formed of at least two stacked segments that are connectable to each other, the cylindrical main body comprising a central bore extending through the cylindrical main body in the longitudinal direction;
• an outer surface around a circumference of the cylindrical main body, and an inner surface facing the central bore;
• a first connector on a first end of the cylindrical main body and configured to attach to an end of the first tubular, and a second connector on an opposite second end of the cylindrical main body and configured to attach to an end of the second tubular;
• and
• a female profile on the inner surface, the female profile comprising a plurality of grooves, wherein each of the grooves in the plurality of grooves comprises a tapered shoulder and a non-tapered no-go shoulder, and wherein each of the at least two stacked segments includes one of the grooves in a configuration in which a spacing is provided between a groove in one of the stacked segments and another groove in an adjacent one of the stacked segments;
• and
• a tool that is insertable into the location connecter in an insertion direction, the tool comprising a discrete complementary profile comprising one or more protruding members for selective engagement with the female profile of the location connector,
• wherein the non-tapered no-go shoulder is configured to prevent movement of the tool in one direction, and each of the grooves permits clocking movement of the tool in an azimuthal direction.

A method of locating a tool relative to a location connector that connects a first tubular to a second tubular, the method comprising:

• attaching a first end of the location connector to one end of a first tubular, the location connector comprising a cylindrical main body extending in a longitudinal direction and formed of at least two stacked segments that are connectable to each other, the cylindrical main body comprising a central bore extending through the cylindrical main body in the longitudinal direction;
• an outer surface around a circumference of the cylindrical main body, and an inner surface facing the central bore;
• and a female profile on the inner surface, the female profile comprising a plurality of grooves, wherein each of the grooves in the plurality of grooves comprises a tapered shoulder and a non-tapered no-go shoulder that is configured to prevent movement in one direction, and wherein each of the at least two stacked segments includes one of the grooves in a configuration in which a spacing is provided between a groove in one of the stacked segments and another groove in an adjacent one of the stacked segments;
• attaching one end of a second tubular to an opposite second end of the location connector, so that the location connector connects the first tubular to the second tubular;
• inserting the tool into the second tubular in the insertion direction, the tool comprising a discrete complementary profile comprising one or more protruding members for selective engagement with the female profile of the location connector;
• lowering the tool through the second tubular in the insertion direction until the one or more protruding members of the tool engages with at least one groove of the plurality of grooves of the female profile;
• and
• clocking the tool in the azimuthal direction by lifting or lowering the tool relative to the female profile so that the one or more protruding members of the tool engaged with the at least one groove of the plurality of grooves slides along the at least one groove.

A location connector for connecting a first tubular to a second tubular, the location connector comprising:

• a cylindrical main body extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a central bore extending through the cylindrical main body in the longitudinal direction;
• an outer surface around a circumference of the cylindrical main body, and an inner surface facing the central bore;
• a first connector on a first end of the cylindrical main body and configured to attach to an end of the first tubular, and a second connector on an opposite second end of the cylindrical main body and configured to attach to an end of the second tubular;
• and
• a female profile on the inner surface, the female profile comprising a plurality of grooves for selective engagement with a discrete complementary profile comprising one or more protruding members of a tool, wherein each of the grooves in the plurality of grooves comprises a no-go shoulder configured to prevent movement of the tool in one direction, and each of the grooves permits clocking movement of the tool in an azimuthal direction,
• wherein the female profile comprises at least one chemical element for reacting with a material of the tool to output a signal when the tool is located at a predetermined position relative to the location connector.