SLIDE REAMER AND STABILIZER TOOL

Abstract

A downhole tool, for selectively reaming a wellbore or stabilizing drill string components within a wellbore, includes an elongate tool body adapted to receive reamer cartridges or stabilizer cartridges depending on the function desired. The reamer cartridges are radially insertable into corresponding pockets in the tool body, with each reamer cartridge having a reamer insert with an array of cutting elements. The reamer insert is disposed within a bushing and is rotatable relative thereto, about a rotational axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool. However, the rotational axis is offset from the tool body axis, resulting in eccentric contact of the cutting elements with the wall of the wellbore, which in turn imparts rotation to the reamer insert when the tool is being moved axially through a wellbore without rotation. When the tool is to be used for stabilization, the reamer cartridges can be removed and replaced with stabilizer cartridges having stabilizer inserts with hard-faced stabilizer cones.

Claims

1. A downhole tool comprising an elongate main body having: (a) a longitudinal axis; (b) an outer surface; and (c) a plurality of channels formed into said outer surface, said channels dividing the main body into a plurality of blade sections corresponding in number to the number of channels; wherein each of at least two of the blade sections has one or more cartridge pockets formed into the outer surface thereof, each cartridge pocket being configured to receive a tool cartridge housing a tool insert, wherein the downhole tool forms a slide reamer.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the channels are angularly skewed relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

3. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein each cartridge pocket has a circular shape defining a center point, and the center point is offset from the longitudinal axis of the main body.

4-9. (canceled)

10. The downhole tool of claim 1, further comprising a pair of elongate spring pins axially spaced on opposite sides of the cartridge pocket, with each spring pin being configured to engage a cylindrical channel formed by a semi-circular groove in a cartridge bushing of the tool cartridge and engaging an adjacent, parallel semi-circular groove in an end wall of the cartridge pocket.

11-24. (canceled)

25. The downhole tool of claim 1 in which the outer surface of the main body has a uniform cross-section over a central section that includes the blade sections.

26. The downhole tool of claim 1 in which the main body has one or more openings for receiving a pin to hold the tool cartridge in the main body.

27. The downhole tool of claim 26 in which each cartridge pocket has a semi-circular groove in an end wall of the cartridge pocket for receiving the pin.

28. The downhole tool of claim 26 in which each opening comprises a pair of bores passing through the blade section on secant lines on either side of each cartridge pocket.

29. The downhole tool of claim 3 in which the tool insert has a rotation axis and the center point is aligned with the rotation axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which numerical references denote like parts, and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a reamer/stabilizer tool in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, shown fitted with reamer cartridges.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-section through the tool shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section through one embodiment of a reamer cartridge in accordance with the present invention, viewed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tool.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section through one embodiment of a stabilizer cartridge in accordance with the present invention, viewed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a reaming and stabilizing tool (reamer/stabilizer) 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Reamer/stabilizer 10 includes an elongate tool body 20 having a longitudinal axis A-1, an upper end 22A, and a lower end 22B, plus a central bore 24 for circulation of drilling fluid through tool body 20. In the illustrated embodiment, tool body 20 is shown as being of a generally cylindrical configuration, but this is not essential. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that tool body 20 could be of other geometric configurations (such as, by way of non-limiting example, a tool body having a square or other polygonal cross-section).

[0022] Upper and lower ends 22A and 22B of tool body 20 are adapted for connection to other drill string components (e.g., taper-threaded pin and box connections, as commonly used in drilling oil and gas wells). In the illustrated embodiment, tool body 20 has an enlarged central section 30 with an outer surface 31. In the illustrated embodiment, central section 30 is of generally cylindrical configuration, with a diameter greater than the outer diameter of tool body 20 at its upper and lower ends 22A and 22B. In alternative embodiments, however, tool body may have a substantially uniform cross-section (of circular or other configuration) along its length, rather than having sections of reduced size at one or both ends.

[0023] A plurality of channels 32 are formed into the outer surface 31 of central section 30, to allow upward flow of drilling fluid and wellbore cuttings. In the illustrated embodiments, channels 32 are diagonally or helically-oriented relative to longitudinal axis A-1 of tool body 20. However, this is not essential, and in alternative embodiments channels 32 could be of a different orientation (for example, parallel to longitudinal axis A-1). Channels 32 may extend partially into regions of tool body 20 beyond central section 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1, but this is not essential. Channels 32 effectively divide central section 30 of tool body 20 into a corresponding plurality of blade sections (blades) 35. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, tool body 20 has three channels 32 and three blades 35; however, alternative embodiments may have different numbers of channels 32 and blades 35.

[0024] Formed into outer surface 31 of each blade 35 are one or more cartridge pockets 37, as best seen in FIG. 2. Each cartridge pocket 37 is configured to receive a tool cartridge incorporating a cartridge bushing 40. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each blade 35 has two cartridge pockets 37, but this is by way of non-limiting example only. In alternative embodiments, each blade could be provided with only a single cartridge pocket 37, particularly for situations in which reamer/stabilizer 10 will be used in a rotating drill string (as opposed to operations in which the drill string is not rotated).

[0025] Cartridge bushing 40 is configured to receive a tool insert in the form of a reamer insert 50 as in FIGS. 1 and 2 (or, alternatively, a stabilizer insert 60, as described later herein), such that reamer insert 50 is rotatable relative to cartridge bushing 40 about a rotational axis A-2 which is substantially perpendicularly transverse to longitudinal axis A-1 of tool body 20, but does not intersect longitudinal axis A-1. This relationship between longitudinal axis A-1 and rotational axis A-2 may be best appreciated from FIG. 2, in which it can be seen that a reference line 100 parallel to rotational axis A-2 and intersecting longitudinal axis A-1 is offset from rotational axis A-2 by an offset distance 105. The practical and beneficial effect of this offset of rotational axis A-2 will be discussed later herein.

[0026] As indicated above, rotational axis A-2 of each tool insert is transverse to longitudinal axis A-1 of tool body 20, but this is not to be understood as requiring precise perpendicularity. In some embodiments, rotational axis A-2 will be precisely perpendicular to longitudinal axis A-1, but this is not essential. In alternative embodiments, rotational axis A-2 may be tilted from perpendicular relative to longitudinal axis A-1, which configuration may be beneficial in inducing rotation of the tool inserts during operations in which the drill string is being rotated.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a tool cartridge comprising reamer insert 50, rotatably disposed within cartridge bushing 40. The assembly of reamer insert 50 and cartridge bushing 40 may be referred to as a reamer cartridge 500. Reamer insert 50 has a main body 51 with a generally domed upper surface 52, into which are formed a plurality of cutter sockets 53 for receiving cutting elements 54, which project above upper surface 52 as shown. Cutting elements 54 will preferably be made from a tungsten-carbide steel alloy, as is common for cutting elements in prior art reaming tools as well as cutting tools in other fields of industry. In the illustrated embodiment, cutting elements 54 have a domed profile, but this is by way of example only; cutting elements 54 could have different profiles to suit particular field conditions.

[0028] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited or restricted to the use of any particular style of cutting element or any particular cutting element materials. Moreover, the present invention is not limited or restricted to the use of cutting elements disposed within cutter pockets as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, as the particular means by which cutting elements are attached, anchored, bonded, or otherwise integrated with main body 51 of reamer insert 50 is entirely secondary or peripheral to the present invention.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, reamer insert 50 has a central cutting element 54A coincident with rotational axis A-2, plus a plurality of outer cutting elements 54B arrayed in a circular pattern around central cutting element 54A. Preferably, the outer edges of cutting elements 54A and 54B will lie at approximately the same radial distance from longitudinal axis A-1 when reamer cartridge 500 is mounted in tool body 20, with said radial distance corresponding to the desired borehole diameter (or gauge). Due to the previously-mentioned offset of rotational axis A-2 relative to longitudinal axis A-1, at least one of the outer cutting elements 54B on one side of rotational axis A-2 (i.e., viewing reamer/stabilizer 10 in transverse cross-section, as in FIGS. 2 and 3) will contact the wall of a wellbore before the outer cutting elements 54B on the other side of rotational axis A-2. This unbalanced or eccentric contact between outer cutting elements 54B and the wellbore wall will induce rotation of reamer insert 50 when reamer/stabilizer 10 is moved axially and non-rotatingly within the wellbore (such as during slide drilling or tripping operations). In preferred embodiments in which two or more reamer inserts 50 are provided in each blade 35 of reamer/stabilizer 10, the effective cutting widths of the reamer inserts 50 (as defined by the layout of outer cutting elements 54B) will overlap to provide effective reaming around the full perimeter of the wellbore wall even during non-rotating axial movement of reamer/stabilizer 10.

[0030] Reamer insert 50 is mounted in cartridge bushing 40 so as to be freely rotatable within cartridge bushing 40, about rotational axis A-2. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this functionality can be provided in a variety of ways using known technologies, and the present invention is not limited to any particular way of mounting reamer insert 50 in or to cartridge bushing 40. In the non-limiting exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, main body 51 of reamer insert 50 has a cylindrical outer side surface 51A; a generally planar lower surface 51B bounded by cylindrical outer side surface 51A; and a cylindrical hub 55 coaxial with rotational axis A-2 and projecting below lower surface 51B.

[0031] Cartridge bushing 40 is formed with a cylindrical cavity defined by a perimeter wall 41 with an inner cylindrical surface 41A having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of cylindrical side surface 51A (so as to allow free rotation of reamer insert 50 within cartridge bushing 40, preferably with minimal tolerance); a base section 42 bounded by cylindrical side wall 41 and having an upper surface 42A; and a circular opening 44 extending through base section 42 and having a centroidal axis coincident with rotational axis A-2, with circular opening 44 being sized to receive cylindrical hub 55 of reamer insert 50. Reamer insert 50 is positioned within cartridge bushing 40 with cylindrical hub 55 disposed within circular opening 44 and projecting below base section 42. Reamer insert 50 is rotatably retained within bushing 40 by means of a snap ring 56 disposed within a corresponding groove in the perimeter surface of cylindrical hub 55, below base section 42, as shown in FIG. 3. Suitable bearings (shown for purposes of FIG. 3 as ball bearings 57) are provided in suitable bearing races in upper surface 42A of base section 42 and in lower surface 51B of main body 51 of reamer insert 50, to transfer radially-acting reaming forces from reamer insert 50 to cartridge bushing 40. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are various other ways of rotatably securing reamer insert 50 within cartridge bearing 40, and the present invention is not restricted to the use of the particular components described and illustrated herein for achieving this functionality.

[0032] Reamer cartridges 500 are removably retained within corresponding cartridge pockets 37 in reamer/stabilizer 10. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this can be accomplished in a number of ways using known methods, and the present invention is not limited to any particular method or means of removably retaining reamer cartridges 500 within their respective cartridge pockets 37. However, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, this is accomplished by configuring cartridge bushing 40 with two opposing and generally straight end walls 43, into each of which is formed an elongate groove 46 of generally semi-circular cross-section. Each cartridge pocket 37 has corresponding opposing end walls with corresponding semi-circular grooves 34 as shown in dotted outline in FIG. 3. When cartridge bushings 40 are positioned within corresponding cartridge pockets 37, each groove 46 of each cartridge bushing 40 will be aligned with a corresponding groove 34 in a corresponding cartridge pocket end wall, so as to define a cylindrical channel formed partly in a bushing end wall and partly in a cartridge pocket end wall, as seen in FIG. 3.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, a pair of spring pin bores 36 pass through each blade section 35 on secant lines on either side of each cartridge pocket 37, with each spring pin bore 36 being aligned with the cylindrical channel formed by the corresponding groove 34 in cartridge pocket 37 and groove 46 in cartridge bushing 40. Accordingly, a spring pin 39 (or other suitable type of fastening pin) can be inserted through each spring pin bore 36 to intercept the cylindrical channel in the corresponding cartridge bushing 40 and cartridge pocket end wall, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 3. With spring pins 39 thus in place, reamer cartridges 500 are securely retained in their corresponding cartridge pockets 37.

[0034] This particular method of assembly facilitates quick and simple cartridge change-out in the shop or in the field, without need for special tools. To remove a cartridge from reamer/stabilizer 10, the corresponding spring pins 39 may be simply driven out of their spring pin bores 36 using a hammer and a suitable metal rod having a smaller diameter than the spring pin bore 36. The cartridge can then be easily pried out of its cartridge pocket 37, preferably with the aid of longitudinally-oriented pry grooves 38 formed into blade 35 at each end of each cartridge pocket 37, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] When it is desired to use reamer/stabilizer 10 as a stabilizer, reamer cartridges 500 may be removed from their respective cartridge pockets 37 and replaced with stabilizer cartridges 600. As illustrated by way of exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, each stabilizer cartridge 600 comprises a cartridge bushing 40 and a stabilizer insert 60. Cartridge bushings 40 for purposes of stabilizer cartridges 600 will preferably be identical in all respects to cartridge bushings 40 for purposes of reamer cartridges 500 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3; for this reason, not all elements and features of cartridge bushing 40 are indicated by reference numbers in FIG. 4.

[0036] The configuration and features of stabilizer insert 60, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, is generally similar to the embodiment of reamer insert 50 shown in FIG. 3, with stabilizer insert 60 having a main body 61 similar to main body 51 of reamer insert 50, and with main body 61 having a cylindrical outer side surface 61A and a planar lower surface 61B similar to corresponding features 51A and 51B of reamer insert 50. However, instead of having cutting elements as in reamer insert 50, stabilizer insert 60 is fitted with a hard-faced stabilizer element 64 (which may be alternatively referred to as a stabilizer cone, although stabilizer element 64 will not necessarily have a conical profile). Preferably, the upper surface 64A of stabilizer element 64 will be generally spherical, with a radius of curvature preferably (but not necessarily) corresponding to the radius of the wellbore in which the tool is to be used. Stabilizer element 64 may be mounted to main body 61 of stabilizer insert 60 in any suitable fashion. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, main body 61 is formed with an upper projection 63 disposable within a corresponding pocket 65 formed into the lower surface of stabilizer element 64. Upper projection 63 may be secured within pocket 65 by any suitable known means, which could include an adhesive or friction fit.

[0037] In some applications, it may be beneficial to fit reamer/stabilizer 10 with a combination of reamer cartridges 500 and stabilizer cartridges 600. In addition, it is possible that other wellbore conditioning needs may require or suggest the use of tool cartridges adapted for purposes other than reaming and stabilizing, and the use of such alternative types of tool cartridges is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. In other applications, effective use of reamer/stabilizer 10 may be possible with well conditioning cartridges installed in some but not all of the cartridge pockets 37 of reamer/stabilizer 10.

[0038] In alternative embodiments of reamer/stabilizer 10, the rotational axis A-2 of the tool inserts (e.g., reamer inserts 50 and stabilizer inserts 60) may intersect longitudinal axis A-1 of tool body 20, rather than being offset as shown in FIG. 2. This configuration may result in the inserts being less readily rotatable during non-rotating axial movement of the drill string, but will not detract significantly or at all from the effectiveness of reamer/stabilizer 10 during operations in which the drill string is being rotated.

[0039] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be devised without departing from the scope and teaching of the present invention, including modifications which may use equivalent structures or materials hereafter conceived or developed. It is to be especially understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to any described or illustrated embodiment, and that the substitution of a variant of a claimed element or feature, without any substantial resultant change in the working of the invention, will not constitute a departure from the scope of the invention. It is also to be appreciated that the different teachings of the embodiments described and discussed herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

[0040] In this patent document, any form of the word comprise is to be understood in its non-limiting sense to mean that any item following such word is included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one such element. Any use of any form of the terms connect, engage, couple, attach, or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also include indirect interaction between the elements such as through secondary or intermediary structure. Relational terms such as parallel, perpendicular, coincident, intersecting, and equidistant are not intended to denote or require absolute mathematical or geometrical precision. Accordingly, such terms are to be understood as denoting or requiring substantial precision only (e.g., substantially parallel) unless the context clearly requires otherwise.