Milling apparatus and method for a well
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsStephen M. Begg, Herve Ohmer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A downhole system includes a deflector with a reaction surface that is engageable to a mill. The deflector is coupled to a motion mechanism that is activable to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal direction. During operation, the mill is engaged to a surrounding downhole structure, and the mill is rotated. As the mill cuts an opening in the downhole structure, the motion mechanism moves the deflector, which allows the mill to move with the deflector. A smooth motion is provided by the motion mechanism to enable a more accurate cutting of the downhole structure (e.g., casing or liner).
Claims38
A milling apparatus to mill a window through a downhole structure having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a deflector having a reaction surface;
- a motion mechanism adapted to move the deflector generally along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a mill adapted to cooperate with the reaction surface and to move generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector,
- wherein the motion mechanism comprises a hydraulic mechanism through which hydraulic fluid is bled to move the deflector.
A milling apparatus to mill a window through a downhole structure having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a deflector having a reaction surface;
- a motion mechanism adapted to move the deflector generally along the longitudinal axis;
- a mill adapted to cooperate with the reaction surface and to move generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector;
- and
- a guide device with an orienting element adapted to engage a corresponding orienting profile with a known azimuthal orientation.
A method of milling a window in a downhole structure in a wellbore, comprising:
- setting a deflector in the wellbore, the deflector having a reaction surface, the deflector further having a mechanism to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal axis of the deflector;
- engaging a mill against the reaction surface;
- rotating the mill;
- and
- moving the mill generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector as the mill cuts the window in the downhole structure.
A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a milling assembly, the milling assembly having:
- a deflector having a reaction surface;
- a motion mechanism adapted to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal axis of the deflector;
- and
- a mill adapted to be engaged with the reaction surface and to move generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector as the mill is rotating.
A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a milling assembly, the milling assembly having:
- a deflector having a reaction surface;
- a motion mechanism adapted to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal axis of the deflector;
- and
- a mill adapted to be engaged with the reaction surface and to move generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector,
- wherein the motion mechanism comprises a hydraulic mechanism through which hydraulic fluid is bled to move the deflector.
A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a milling assembly, the milling assembly having:
- a deflector having a reaction surface;
- a motion mechanism adapted to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal axis of the deflector;
- and
- a mill adapted to be engaged with the reaction surface and to move generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector;
- and
- a landing device having an orienting profile with a known azimuthal orientation in the wellbore.
A milling apparatus to mill a window through a downhole structure having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a deflector having a reaction surface;
- a motion mechanism adapted to move the deflector generally along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a mill adapted to cooperate with the reaction surface and to move generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector,
- wherein the mill is adapted to move with the deflector along the longitudinal axis as the mill is milling the downhole structure.
A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a milling assembly, the milling assembly having:
- a deflector having a reaction surface;
- a motion mechanism adapted to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal axis of the deflector;
- and
- a mill adapted to be engaged with the reaction surface and to move generally along the longitudinal axis with the deflector,
- wherein the mill is adapted to move with the deflector along the longitudinal axis as the mill is milling a downhole structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.