Perforation alignment tool for jet drilling, perforating and cleaning

A slip joint for decreasing axial force and transmitting torque to equipment attached to the bottom of a tubing string in a wellbore during pumping operations through the tubing, comprising:

• a cylinder having a bore therethrough, a segment of the bore having a shape that is not round;
• a rod adapted to move through the bore to a stop at each end of the bore, the rod having a flow channel therethrough and a segment that is not round, so as to allow transmission of torque from the rod to the cylinder;
• a seal to prevent fluid flow along the bore between the cylinder and the rod;
• and
• means for attaching the rod and the cylinder to the tubing string and the equipment.

A method for performing a pumping operation in a well in a subterranean formation having a casing and a perforation in the casing, comprising:

• placing a first tubing string in the well, the first tubing string having a plunger unit attached thereto, the plunger unit having a spring-loaded plunger, the plunger adapted to at least partially penetrate a reference perforation when opposite thereto and the plunger unit being attached to an apparatus in fluid communication with the first tubing string and having a fluid channel leading to a nozzle directed at a known location with respect to the plunger;
• manipulating the first tubing string so as to cause the plunger to at least partially penetrate the reference perforation;
• and
• pumping fluid down-the first tubing string at a selected pressure and rate and through the nozzle so as to perform the pumping operation.

A method for forming a perforation in the casing of a well in a subterranean formation, comprising:

• placing a first tubing string in the well, the first tubing string having a plunger unit attached thereto, the plunger unit having a spring-loaded plunger, the plunger adapted to at least partially penetrate a reference perforation when opposite thereto and the plunger unit being attached to an apparatus having a guide channel leading to a guide port directed at a known location with respect to the plunger;
• manipulating the first tubing string so as to cause the plunger to at least partially penetrate the reference perforation;
• placing a second tubing string inside the first tubing string, the second tubing string having a flexible tubing attached thereto and a jet nozzle attached to the flexible tubing;
• passing the nozzle and the flexible tubing through the guide conduit so as to bring the nozzle in proximity to the guide port and in proximity to the casing;
• and
• pumping fluid at a selected rate through the nozzle for a selected time so as to form a perforation in the casing at a known location with respect to the reference perforation.

A method for drilling a drain hole through a perforation in the casing of a well in a subterranean formation, comprising:

• determining the location with respect to a reference perforation of a perforation through which a drain hole is to be drilled;
• selecting a plunger unit having a plunger and a second apparatus attached thereto, the second apparatus having a guide channel leading to a guide port directed to the location when the plunger is in the reference perforation;
• placing a first tubing string in the well, the first tubing string having the plunger unit and the attached second apparatus on the tubing string;
• manipulating the first tubing string so as to cause the plunger to at least partially penetrate the reference perforation;
• placing a second tubing string inside the first tubing string, the second tubing string having a flexible tubing attached thereto and a jet nozzle attached to the flexible tubing;
• passing the nozzle and the flexible tubing through the guide channel so as to bring the nozzle through the guide port and the perforation;
• and
• pumping fluid at a selected rate through the nozzle for a selected time so as to jet drill a drain hole into the formation.