Dual sensor freepoint tool
AssigneeWeather/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsKevin L. Gray, James D. Estes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method of determining the point at which a tubular is stuck within another tubular or a wellbore by applying a tensile or torsional force to the stuck tubular and measuring the response of various locations within the tubular. In addition, the apparatus may be combined with a cutting tool to separate the free portion of the tubular from the stuck portion.
Claims54
A freepoint tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
- a housing connectable to a conveyance member for conveying the tool into the wellbore;
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular;
- a rack and pinion assembly for facilitating linear motion of the anchoring mechanism;
- a first sensor for detecting linear displacement within the tubular;
- and
- a second sensor for detecting angular displacement within the tubular.
A method of separating a free portion of a tubular from a stuck portion of the tubular, comprising:
- determining a sticking point of the tubular using a freepoint tool, comprising:
- positioning the freepoint tool in the tubular, the freepoint tool including at least one anchoring mechanism;
- anchoring the tool in the tubular;
- applying at least one force to the tubular while operating at least one sensor;
- collecting a measurement from the at least one sensor;
- comparing the measurement to a known value;
- and
- resetting the at least one sensor by engaging at least one pin in at least one reset slot
- disposing a cutting tool proximate a point of desired separation;
- actuating the cutting tool;
- and
- separating the free portion from the stuck portion.
A method of locating a sticking point of a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
- positioning a freepoint tool in the tubular in the tubular, the freepoint tool having at least one torsional sensor;
- applying a torsional load to the tubular;
- sensing the associated torsional deflection of the tubular proximate the freepoint tool;
- resetting the at least one torsional sensor by engaging at least one alignment pin in at least one reset slot;
- and
- using the sensed deflection to locate the sticking point.
A freepoint and cutting tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular;
- at least one sensor for sensing deflection of the tubular;
- and
- at least one cutter for cutting the tubular, the at least one cutter radially extendable from a body.
A method of separating a free portion of a tubular from a stuck portion of the tubular in a single run, comprising:
- lowering a freepoint tool and a cutting tool into a wellbore;
- determining a sticking point of the tubular using the freepoint tool;
- disposing the cutting tool proximate a point of desired separation;
- actuating the cutting tool, thereby extending at least one cutter radially outward;
- and
- separating the free portion from the stuck portion.
A freepoint tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising
- a housing connectable to a conveyance member for conveying the tool into the wellbore;
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular, the at least one anchoring mechanism includes one or more arms that are outwardly biased by a spring and are retractable towards the body of the tool by a motor and a mechanical assembly providing linear motion, wherein the mechanical assembly includes a ballscrew assembly;
- a sensor for detecting linear displacement within the tubular;
- and
- a sensor for detecting angular displacement within the tubular.
A freepoint tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising
- a housing connectable to a conveyance member for conveying the tool into the wellbore;
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular,
- a sensor for detecting linear displacement within the tubular;
- a sensor for detecting angular displacement within the tubular;
- and
- a mechanical cutting tool having a body and at least one radially extendable cutter arranged to extend from at least one opening formed in the body to contact an inside wall of the tubular.
A freepoint and cutting tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular, wherein the at least one anchoring mechanism is actuated by pulsing a positive voltage;
- at least one sensor for sensing deflection of the tubular;
- at least one cutter for cutting the tubular;
- and
- a housing connectable to a wireline having a conductor.
A freepoint tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising
- a housing connectable to a conveyance member for conveying the tool into the wellbore, wherein the housing comprises a super alloy having a minimum yield strength of about 240,000 psi;
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular,
- a first sensor for detecting linear displacement within the tubular;
- and
- a second sensor for detecting angular displacement within the tubular.
A freepoint tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising
- a housing connectable to a conveyance member for conveying the tool into the wellbore;
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular,
- a first sensor for detecting linear displacement within the tubular;
- a second sensor for detecting angular displacement within the tubular;
- and
- one or more alignment pins and an external sleeve for resetting the sensors to a known relative axial and angular position.
A freepoint tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
- a housing connectable to a conveyance member for conveying the tool into the wellbore;
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular, wherein the at least one anchoring mechanism is actuated by pulsing a voltage;
- a first sensor for detecting linear displacement within the tubular;
- a second sensor for detecting angular displacement within the tubular;
- and
- wherein power is supplied to the tool using a wireline.
A freepoint tool for use in a tubular in a wellbore, comprising
- a housing connectable to a conveyance member for conveying the tool into the wellbore;
- at least one anchoring mechanism for connecting the tool to the tubular,
- a first sensor for detecting linear displacement within the tubular;
- a second sensor for detecting angular displacement within the tubular;
- and
- a cutting tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.