CN119698513A

CN119698513A - Well hole fishing tool

Info

Publication number: CN119698513A
Application number: CN202380059412.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: V·马拉菲; R·克里斯蒂安森; G·M·M·约翰森; S·G·海于根; A·易卜拉欣莫夫
Original assignee: Welltec AS
Current assignee: Welltec AS
Priority date: 2022-08-26
Filing date: 2023-08-25
Publication date: 2025-03-25
Also published as: AU2023329695A1; EP4577720A1; WO2024043789A1

Abstract

A wellbore fishing tool (1) configured for engaging and retrieving downhole carryover in a subterranean well comprises an actuation motor (5) and an actuation member (23) operated in an axial direction by the actuation motor. It further comprises an engagement assembly (10), wherein the engagement assembly (10) has a main body (17), a grip element (13) configured to be movable between a non-engaged state and an engaged state, and said actuation member (23) between the actuator motor (5) and the grip element (13). The gripping element (13) is connected to the actuating member (23) via a connection hinge (29).

Description

Well hole fishing tool

Technical Field

The invention relates to a well bore fishing tool with novel design.

Background

Various types of wellbore fishing tools are known. Many wellbore fishing tools use a set of flexible arms to move a gripping element between an engaged state and a disengaged state to engage and disengage fish/downhole carryover inside the wellbore.

An example of such a fishing tool is described in WO2019035726, in which a set of flexible arms are bent or flexed by engagement with a tapered surface.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing tool capable of receiving large diameter fish/downhole remnants.

Another object is to provide a fishing tool that can grip small downhole carryover even though it receives a large diameter.

In some cases, in addition to the downhole carryover, there may be a cable that is typically present with the junction interface of the downhole carryover. Such a cable may inadvertently become loose so that it may fall down and partially onto the side of the downhole legacy. This will increase the thickness and thus the fishing tool will require additional capacity to engage the downhole legacy. Thus, conventional fishing tools may not be able to engage the downhole legacy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing tool that engages a downhole legacy even when a wireline is deployed with the downhole legacy.

Another object is to enable the fishing tool to be released from the downhole legacy after engaging the downhole legacy. This function is often advantageous in situations where the downhole carryover is stuck in the well and the fishing tool cannot pull the downhole carryover.

It is another object to provide a fishing tool that can also be used as a running tool for a variety of other wellbore tools.

Further, it is an even further object to provide a fishing tool that can engage with the borehole downhole legacy without applying an axial force to the downhole legacy to initiate engagement.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the present invention, a wellbore fishing tool is provided that is configured for engaging and recovering fish/downhole carryover in a subterranean well. The fishing tool includes an actuation motor and an actuator member operated in an axial direction by the actuation motor. The wellbore fishing tool also includes an engagement assembly, wherein the engagement assembly includes a body, a gripping element configured to move between a non-engaged state and an engaged state, and the actuation member between the actuator motor and the gripping element. The gripping element is connected to the actuation member via a connection hinge.

Various embodiments and advantageous features appear from the dependent claims.

The term "subterranean well" refers to both land wells and underwater wells.

The term "connection hinge" means that the two elements connected via the connection hinge are two different independent parts, which parts are rotatable relative to each other. Thus, according to this definition, curved flexible elements are not within the scope of this definition.

As the reader of the skilled person will appreciate, the term "via the connection hinge" means that the connection hinge is arranged between the gripping element and the actuation member. Thus, an additional element may also be arranged between the gripping element and the actuation member to transfer the actuation force between the two parts.

Advantageously, the engagement assembly may be springless. The engagement assembly being spring-free means that the movement of the grip element between the non-engaged state and the engaged state is not based on a bending component of the engagement assembly. However, in other embodiments, the engagement assembly may be provided with a spring. Thus, the engagement assembly may comprise a spring in addition to the connection hinge.

Preferably, the actuating member comprises an actuating arm parallel to the longitudinal direction of the borehole fishing tool. In some embodiments, the actuation arm is embedded in an arm slot disposed in the body.

In certain embodiments, the engagement assembly further comprises an actuation link connected to the actuation member by a first connection hinge and to the gripping element by a second connection hinge. This solution allows a translational and partially radial movement of the gripping element between the disconnected and the connected state. The actuating member is movable in an axial direction to transmit a movement force to the gripping element via the actuating link.

In some embodiments, as will be described in further detail below, the engagement assembly may have only two second inclined guide end faces, wherein the flat planes of the two second inclined guide end faces are symmetrical about an axially extending centerline.

Preferably, the second sliding end faces also extend along respective flat planes. These planes of the respective second inclined guide end face and the respective second slide end face may advantageously be parallel.

Advantageously, when in said non-engaged state, the respective actuation link may be at least partially disposed within the respective arm slot.

Notably, the wellbore fishing tool discussed herein can be manufactured without the resilient springs that are commonly used in existing solutions. Instead, a solid/solid member is used which can be moved between a non-engaged state and an engaged state, independent of the bending of the member.

Drawings

Having generally discussed various features of the present invention, a few more detailed non-limiting embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wellbore fishing tool according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view through the fishing tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a downhole legacy located in a well (not shown);

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sectional side views illustrating movement from a non-engaged state to an engaged state;

Fig. 7 and 9 are perspective views showing a non-engaged state and an engaged state, respectively;

fig. 8 and 10 are front views corresponding to the cases shown in fig. 7 and 9, respectively;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are different perspective views with the gripping element removed for illustration purposes;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a wellbore fishing tool, and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the actuator element and the actuating member.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 depicts a wellbore fishing tool 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The fishing tool 1 comprises an actuating device 3 comprising an actuator motor 5. The actuator motor 5 is shown in a cross-sectional side view in fig. 2. In the embodiment shown, the actuator motor 5 is an electric motor. However, the actuator motor 5 may also be of any other suitable type, such as a hydraulic motor.

The actuator motor 5 is configured to provide linear movement of the actuator element 7.

In the embodiment shown, the actuator motor 5 is connected to the actuator element 7 by a mechanical connection 9. The mechanical connection 9 that transmits the actuating movement between the actuator motor 5 and the actuator element 7 can be designed in various ways. One such design is described in publication WO 2019035726. In an embodiment in which the actuator motor 5 is a rotary motor, the mechanical connection 9 comprises a rotary-to-linear converter 6.

Fig. 2 shows an axially extending centre line a.

The fishing tool 1 has an engagement assembly 10 at a forward portion thereof that is configured to engage a downhole legacy 15 (fig. 3).

By operating the actuator motor 5, the actuator element 7 can be moved back and forth in the axial extension of the fishing tool 1.

In the cross-sectional side view of fig. 2, the outer housing 11 is shown, the outer housing 11 being omitted from fig. 1 for illustration purposes.

The fishing tool 1 further comprises a gripping element 13. The gripping elements 13 are configured to move radially inward to engage with a downhole legacy 15 in the wellbore. As will be discussed in more detail below, the gripping element 13 is actuated by operation of the actuator motor 5.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a downhole legacy 15. The downhole legacy 15 has a flared tool-facing end portion. In other words, the downhole legacy 15 may typically have been damaged, so that in order to retrieve the downhole legacy 15, the fishing tool 1 must be able to grip on the flared end portion to firmly grip the downhole legacy 15.

In another case, for example, the downhole legacy may have different diameters, so the fishing tool 1 must be moved over the large diameter portion of the downhole legacy to engage with the small diameter portion of the downhole legacy.

Fig. 4-6 depict the engagement assembly 10 of the borehole fishing tool 1 as it moves toward, receives, and engages downhole carryover 15 within a borehole (not shown).

In fig. 4, the fishing tool 1 is moved towards the downhole legacy 15. For example, the downhole legacy 15 may be a damaged pipe end, wherein the end has been pressed substantially flat such that the size of the end is significantly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe.

The fishing tool 1 has two gripping elements 13. The grip element 13 has an inwardly facing grip surface 13a. The gripping surface 13a may advantageously be provided with a serrated or toothed surface for enhanced engagement with the outer surface of the downhole legacy 15.

Preferably, the gripping surface 13a has a curved shape, as shown in the front view of fig. 10.

The front part of the fishing tool 1 shown in fig. 4 has a main body 17. The body 17 has a front aperture 19 through which the downhole legacy 15 passes when the downhole legacy 15 is received in the fishing tool 1.

Fig. 5 shows the fishing tool 1 with the downhole legacy 15 having entered the fishing tool 1. As shown in fig. 5, the fishing tool 1 includes an abutment face 21 against which the downhole legacy 15 abuts the abutment face 21.

The fishing tool 1 also has actuating members, in the embodiment shown in the form of two actuating arms 23. The actuating member, i.e. the actuating arm 23, is connected to the actuator element 7 and is thus movable back and forth with the actuator element 7.

The actuator arm 23 extends parallel to the axial extension of the fishing tool 1. Further, the actuator arm is disposed within the arm slot 25 of the body 17.

At the front portion, the actuation arms 23 are connected to the respective actuation links 27 by first connection hinges 29.

The actuating links 27 are further connected to the respective grip elements 13 by second connection hinges 31.

Advantageously, the first connection hinge 29 may comprise a first connection hinge pin 29a. Further, the second connection hinge 31 may include a second connection pin 31a.

The grip element 13 is arranged between the first inclined guide end face 33 and the second inclined guide end face 35. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second angled guide end surfaces 33, 35 are part of the body 17. Furthermore, the first and second inclined guide end surfaces 33, 35 are parallel to each other.

The first inclined guide end face 33 and the second inclined guide end face 35 each extend in a flat plane. In other words, these end faces have no curve (extend in only two dimensions). It should be clear that in other embodiments the first and/or second guiding end surfaces 33, 35 may comprise a curved shape. Furthermore, in other embodiments, they need not be parallel to each other.

Furthermore, the gripping element 13 comprises a first sliding end face 37 and a second sliding end face 39. The first sliding end surface 37 abuts against the first guiding end surface 33, while the second sliding end surface 39 abuts against the second guiding end surface 35. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from a review of the figures, the sliding end surfaces 37, 39 are configured to slide against the guide end surfaces 33, 35 as the actuation arm 23 is actuated back and forth.

As shown in fig. 6, when the actuator arm 23 is moved forward, the gripping element 13 slides along the opposite and parallel first and second guide end faces 33, 35. This movement of the gripping elements 13 continues until they contact the downhole legacy 15. Once the gripping element 13 has been brought into contact with the downhole legacy 15, the entire borehole fishing tool 1 is pulled up (i.e., toward the top of the well, not shown). The second sliding end surface 39 will then engage the second guiding end surface 35, which results in an increased radially inward force of the gripping element 13 on the downhole legacy 15. This provides a secure engagement between the fishing tool 1 and the downhole legacy 15, which may now be pulled up.

As can be seen by comparing fig. 5 and 6, in fig. 6, the downhole legacy 15 is less inserted relative to the position of the fishing tool 1. When the downhole legacy 15 is inserted into the fishing tool 1, it collides with the abutment face 21, and as the gripping element 13 engages the surface of the downhole legacy 15, the downhole legacy has moved a distance in the opposite direction.

Notably, the actuation link 27 rotates relative to the actuation arm 23 about a first connection hinge 29. The actuation link 27 also pivots relative to the grip element 13 about the second connection hinge 31. Notably, in the embodiment shown, the grip element 13 does not pivot. Instead, the gripping element 13 is moved only by a translational movement.

It should also be noted that no bending occurs when the grip element 13 is moved between the non-engaged state shown in fig. 4 and the engaged state shown in fig. 6. This differs from known solutions in which the gripping element will typically be arranged on the end of a flexible curved arm.

Referring to fig. 6, a pulling gap 8a between a portion of the actuator arm 23 and a portion of the actuator element 7 is shown. As described above, in this case, the gripping element 13 is configured to engage with the downhole legacy 15. When the borehole fishing tool 1 starts pulling the downhole legacy 15, the gripping element 13 may be slightly pressed into the material of the downhole legacy 15. During this engagement enhancing movement, the pulling gap 8a will ensure that the pulling force is still transmitted through the body 17, not through the actuation arm 23.

Similarly, in fig. 4, a push gap 8b is shown that enables the push gap 8a to be provided when engaging a downhole legacy 15.

Fig. 7 and 9 depict the situation shown in fig. 4 and 6, respectively, in perspective view. The downhole legacy 15 and the outer housing 11 are omitted from fig. 7 and 9 for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 8 and 10 show the fishing tool 1 and the downhole legacy 15 in a state corresponding to fig. 7 and 9 in front view. In fig. 8, a damaged end portion of a downhole legacy 15 is shown.

While the embodiment shown in fig. 10 is configured to grip on a cylindrical portion of a downhole legacy 15, the gripping element 13 may be designed differently. For example, the gripping surfaces 13a may be arranged such that they abut/abut each other in the engaged state. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the gripping surface 13a will then extend radially inwardly beyond the portion of the gripping element 13 that abuts the landing end face 34.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9, a landing end face 34 is provided between the first inclined guide end face 33 and the second inclined guide end face 35. In the illustrated embodiment, the landing end face 34 is part of the body 17.

When the gripping elements 13 move radially inwards by a maximum distance, they collide with the respective landing end faces 34, stopping the movement. In the illustrated embodiment, the landing end face 34 extends axially, i.e., parallel to the longitudinal extension of the engagement assembly 10.

The illustrated embodiment relates to four landing end surfaces 34, wherein each pair of landing end surfaces 34 defines a force transfer lever 36 between each pair of landing end surfaces 34.

Fig. 11 and 12 depict the body 17 in different perspective views in order to better show the first and second guide end faces 33, 35 and the landing end face 34. As shown in fig. 12, the first inclined guide end surface 33 is interrupted by the arm groove 25.

It should be noted that when pulling the downhole legacy 15, a majority of the pulling force is not transmitted through the actuation arm 23 and actuation link 27. Instead, force is transferred from the downhole legacy 15 through the gripping element 13 and into the body 17 via the second leading end surface 35. In particular, the tensile force is transmitted through two force transmission rods 36. Thus, the actuation arms 23 and the actuation links 27 need only be sized to actuate the gripping elements 13 from the non-engaged state to the engaged state.

At the front end portion of the fishing tool 1 there is a front sleeve 41 attached to the main body 17. The front sleeve 41 has an inwardly facing conical end face 41a, which conical end face 41a is flush with the conical end face 17a of the body 17.

As shown in the perspective views of fig. 11 and 12, the body 17 is tubular or cylindrical with an inner bore 17b.

Fig. 13 depicts a portion of the wellbore fishing tool 1 without the engagement assembly 10. Fig. 14 shows an actuator element 7 with an actuator arm 23 connected thereto.

While the above embodiments each include only two gripping elements 13, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may include more gripping elements, such as three or four gripping elements 13. The two grip elements 13 of the above-described embodiment are distributed 180 degrees apart. Embodiments involving three grip elements 13 may advantageously be distributed 120 degrees apart, while embodiments with four grip elements 13 may be distributed 90 degrees apart. As known to the person skilled in the art, such an angular distribution also applies to the respective inclined guide end faces and sliding end faces.

Claims

1. A wellbore fishing tool (1) configured to engage and retrieve downhole debris in a subterranean well, the wellbore fishing tool comprising an actuating motor (5) and an actuating member (23) operated in an axial direction by the actuating motor, and further comprising an engagement assembly (10), wherein the engagement assembly (10) comprises a body (17), a gripping element (13) configured to be movable between a non-engaged state and an engaged state, and the actuating member (23) between the actuator motor (5) and the gripping element (13),

Characterized in that the gripping element (13) is connected to the actuating member (23) via a connecting hinge (29).

2. The wellbore fishing tool (1) according to claim 1 is characterized in that the coupling assembly (10) also includes an actuating link (27), wherein the corresponding actuating link (27) is connected to the actuating member (23) via a first connecting hinge (29) and is connected to the gripping element (13) via a second connecting hinge (31).

3. The wellbore fishing tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that the coupling assembly (10) further includes a first inclined guide end surface (33) and a second inclined guide end surface (35), and the corresponding gripping element (13) includes a first sliding end surface (37) sliding against the first inclined guide end surface and a second sliding end surface (39) sliding against the second inclined guide end surface.

4. The wellbore fishing tool (1) according to claim 3 is characterized in that the first inclined guide end surface (33) faces forward and radially outward, the second inclined guide end surface (35) faces rearward and radially inward, and the second inclined guide end surface (35) extends along a corresponding flat plane.

5. The wellbore fishing tool (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the corresponding first inclined guide end surface (33) and the corresponding first sliding end surface (37) are flat and parallel to the corresponding second inclined guide end surface (35).

6. A wellbore fishing tool (1) according to claims 2 and 3 or according to claims 2 and 3 and claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the actuating member (23) includes two actuating arms, the main body (17) includes arm slots (25) for receiving the actuating arms, and the corresponding arm slots (25) interrupt the corresponding first inclined guide end surfaces (33).

7. The wellbore fishing tool (1) according to claim 3 or according to claim 3 and any other preceding claim, characterized in that the coupling assembly (10) also includes two pairs of landing end faces (34), wherein each pair of landing end faces includes parallel landing end faces (34) arranged on opposite sides of a force transfer rod (36), and the force transfer rod is arranged between the first inclined guide end face (33) and the second inclined guide end face (35).