Retrievable waste capsules, retrieval-tool, systems and methods thereof
Elongate capsules for housing waste are configured for disposal (placement) into wellbore(s) that are located in particular deep underground geologic formation(s). These capsules have opposing structures for physically linking multiple capsules together in an end-to-end fashion. These opposing end structures may include a stinger with pins at a top end of the capsule; and a J-slots structure at the bottom end of the capsule. The stinger with pins of a first capsule may be (removably) attached to the J-slots of a second capsule. Further, a retrieval-tool also has the J-slots structure at one end. The J-slots structure of the retrieval-tool may be configured to (removably) attach to a stinger with pins of a given capsule (which may be linked to other capsule(s)); and then the retrieval-tool may be used to retrieve the given capsule(s) from a given wellbore. Capsule retrieval systems and/or method may utilize such capsule(s) and the retrieval-tool.
1 . A retrieval-tool that is configured for removable attachment to a retrievable-waste-capsule with first-attachment-structure, wherein the retrieval-tool comprises:
an upper-portion configured for removable attachment to at least one of: a drill-string terminal-end, a work-string terminal-end, or a driver terminal-end; and
a lower-portion configured for removable attachment to the retrievable-waste-capsule; wherein the lower-portion comprises second-attachment-structure; wherein the second-attachment-structure is configured for removable attachment to the first-attachment-structure;
wherein the second-attachment-structure comprises at least one predetermined-pathway; wherein the at least one predetermined-pathway comprises a guiding-opening, a diagonal-passage-section, and a parallel-section;
wherein the guiding-opening, the diagonal-passage-section, and the parallel-section are configured for removable engagement with at least one stinger-pin of the retrievable-waste-capsule; wherein the first-attachment-structure comprises the at least one stinger-pin;
wherein the guiding-opening is connected to and leads to the diagonal-passage-section;
wherein the diagonal-passage-section is connected to and leads to the parallel-section;
wherein a height of the parallel-section is substantially parallel to a height of the retrieval-tool;
wherein a length of the diagonal-passage-section is not parallel nor perpendicular to the height of the retrieval-tool; and
wherein the guiding-opening is an opening to the at least one predetermined-pathway that is configured to guide the at least one stinger-pin into the diagonal-passage-section.
2 . The retrieval-tool according to claim 1 , wherein the retrieval-tool is sized and shaped to fit and move within a wellbore.
3 . The retrieval-tool according to claim 1 , wherein the upper-portion comprises threads; wherein the threads are disposed at an opposite-end from the lower-portion;
wherein the threads are configured for removable attachment to at least one of: the drillstring terminal-end, the work-string terminal-end, or the driver terminal-end.
4 . A retrieval-tool that is configured for removable attachment to a retrievable-waste-capsule with first-attachment-structure, wherein the retrieval-tool comprises:
an upper-portion configured for removable attachment to at least one of: a drill-string terminal-end, a work-string terminal-end, or a driver terminal-end; and
a lower-portion configured for removable attachment to the retrievable-waste-capsule;
wherein the lower-portion comprises second-attachment-structure; wherein the second-attachment-structure is configured for removable attachment to the first-attachment-structure;
wherein the second-attachment-structure comprises at least one pin that extends inwardly towards an axial center of the retrieval-tool;
wherein the first-attachment-structure comprises the at least one predetermined-pathway;
wherein the at least one predetermined-pathway comprises a guiding-opening, a diagonal-passage-section, and a parallel-section;
wherein the guiding-opening, the diagonal-passage-section, and the parallel-section are configured for removable engagement with the at least one pin;
wherein the guiding-opening is connected to and leads to the diagonal-passage-section;
wherein the diagonal-passage-section is connected to and leads to the parallel-section;
wherein a height of the parallel-section is substantially parallel to a height of the retrievable-waste-capsule;
wherein a length of the diagonal-passage-section is not parallel nor perpendicular to the height of the retrievable-waste-capsule; and
wherein the guiding-opening is an opening to the at least one predetermined-pathway that is configured to guide the at least one pin into the diagonal-passage-section.
5 . The retrieval-tool according to claim 4 , wherein the retrieval-tool is sized and shaped to fit and move within a wellbore.
6 . The retrieval-tool according to claim 4 , wherein the upper-portion comprises threads; wherein the threads are disposed at an opposite-end from the lower-portion;
wherein the threads are configured for removable attachment to at least one of: the drillstring terminal-end, the work-string terminal-end, or the driver terminal-end.