Washing a cylindrical cavity
A tool ( 2 ) for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular has a longitudinal axis and comprises one or more elongate nozzles ( 7 ) for ejecting fluid generally radially from the tool. The or each nozzle extends circumferentially around the tool so as to provide a continuous stationary jet of fluid. Preferably the nozzles collectively provide 360° around the tool.
1. A tool for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular, the tool having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
a first tubular assembly having a shoulder and forming a cavity for receiving fluid;
a second tubular assembly coupled to an external diameter of the first tubular assembly, thereby forming a chamber for receiving fluid from the cavity, wherein one or more elongate nozzles are formed between the shoulder and the second tubular assembly for ejecting fluid from the chamber generally radially from the tool, the or each nozzle extending circumferentially around the tool.
2. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzle or nozzles collectively extend 360° around the longitudinal axis of the tool so that fluid is ejected in all radial directions.
3. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of nozzles having complementary circumferential extension so that the nozzles collectively extend a predetermined circumferential distance around the tool.
4. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the nozzles are located at a variety of axial locations.
5. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein some or all of the nozzles extend at a right angle to the longitudinal axis.
6. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein some or all of the nozzles include an axial component in their direction of extension.
7. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein some or all of the nozzles comprise curved slots.
8. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the nozzles are arranged so that fluid exits the tool in a purely radial direction with no axial component.
9. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the nozzles are arranged so that fluid exits the tool in a direction inclined axially to the radial direction.
10. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the nozzles are divergent so that fluid exits the tool at a range of angles relative to purely radial.
11. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the nozzles are convergent.
12. A tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the first tubular assembly comprises a body surrounding the cavity for receiving fluid.
13. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one nozzle extends 360° around the longitudinal axis of the tool.
14. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the width of the or each nozzle in the axial direction is adjustable.
15. A tool as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the external diameter of the first tubular assembly comprises a larger external diameter portion and a smaller external diameter portion with shoulder therebetween, at least a part of the smaller diameter portion being externally threaded; wherein the second tubular assembly comprises a sleeve, at least partially internally threaded, screwed onto the smaller external diameter portion of the first tubular assembly, such that the nozzle is formed between an end of the sleeve and the shoulder, the axial width of the nozzle being determined by the extent to which the sleeve is screwed onto the smaller diameter portion; and wherein the chamber is formed adjacent to the nozzle, the tool arranged so that the chamber is in fluid communication with fluid supplied to the cavity of the tool.
16. A tool as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the sleeve and the first tubular assembly are lockable together to prevent relative axial movement therebetween.
17. A tool as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising grub screws passing through the sleeve for locking the sleeve and the first tubular assembly together.
18. A tool as claimed in claim 15 , wherein ports are provided in the smaller diameter portion to provide fluid communication between the cavity and the chamber.
19. A tool as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the chamber is located between the smaller diameter portion of the first tubular assembly and the sleeve, the chamber being formed by a reduced external diameter section on the smaller diameter portion and/or an increased internal diameter section on the sleeve.
20. A tool as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the first tubular assembly comprises:
an extended member having an increased external diameter portion and a reduced internal diameter portion; and
an adjustment sleeve screwed onto the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member so as to surround a portion thereof, so that the adjustment sleeve and increased external diameter portion of the extended member together form the larger external diameter portion of the first tubular assembly, the shoulder being formed by an end of the adjustment sleeve, and the remainder of the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member forms the smaller diameter portion of the first tubular assembly.
21. A tool as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the annular chamber is located between the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member and the adjustment sleeve, the chamber being formed by a reduced external diameter section on the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member and/or an increased internal diameter section on the adjustment sleeve.
22. A tool as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the external diameter of the first tubular assembly comprises a larger external diameter portion and a smaller external diameter portion with the shoulder therebetween; wherein the second tubular assembly comprises a sleeve located around the smaller external diameter portion of the first tubular assembly and axially movable relative to the first tubular assembly, such that the nozzle is formed between an end of the sleeve and the shoulder; and further comprising:
a biasing mechanism biasing the sleeve towards the shoulder, so that the nozzle is closed when the fluid pressure in the tool is below a predetermined value;
wherein the chamber is formed adjacent to the nozzle, the tool arranged so that the chamber is in fluid communication with fluid supplied to the cavity of the tool;
and wherein the nozzle is openable by fluid pressure overcoming the biasing force and moving the sleeve away from the shoulder.
23. A tool as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the tool has a fluid supply end in communication with the cavity for connecting the tool to a fluid source.
24. A tool as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the opposite end of the tool to the fluid supply end is closed.
25. A tool as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the opposite end of the tool to the fluid supply end includes an axial exit bore in fluid communication with the cavity for receiving an axial discharge nozzle.
26. A tool as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the opposite end of the tool to the fluid supply end is open to allow the passage of fluid, the tool further comprising a movable sleeve member located in the cavity which restricts fluid communication between the cavity and the nozzles and which allows fluid communication between the fluid supply end and the opposite end of the tool, said sleeve member being releasably attached to the body and including a seat for receiving a plug, the sleeve member being movable in response to the receipt of the plug to a position in which it does not restrict fluid communication between the central cavity and the nozzles.
27. A tool as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the sleeve member is releasably attached to the body by shear screws.
28. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an inner end of the or each nozzle is strengthened with hardened material.
29. A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid is washing fluid.
30. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fluid is sandblasting fluid.
31. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fluid is an abrasive material.
32. A method of washing a wellbore, comprising generating one or more jets of fluid using a tool as claimed in claim 1 , the or each jet taking the form of a two-dimensional sheet extending at least partially circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis of the wellbore.
33. A method as claimed in claim 32 , wherein the jet or jets provide 360° coverage of the surface of the wellbore.
34. A method of washing a wellbore, comprising:
running a tool as claimed in claim 1 into the wellbore; and
ejecting fluid from the tool.
35. A method as claimed in claim 34 , wherein fluid is continuously ejected from the tool.
36. A tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are operable to eject cutting fluid for cutting a tubular.
37. A method of cutting a tubular, comprising generating one or more jets of cutting fluid using a tool as claimed in claim 1 , the or each jet taking the form of a two-dimensional sheet extending at least partially circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular.
38. A tool for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular, the tool having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
one or more elongate nozzles for ejecting fluid generally radially from the tool, the or each nozzle extending circumferentially around the tool, wherein a width of the or each nozzle in the axial direction is adjustable;
a generally tubular assembly comprising a larger external diameter portion and a smaller external diameter portion with a shoulder therebetween, at least a part of the smaller diameter portion being externally threaded; and
a sleeve, at least partially internally threaded, screwed onto the smaller external diameter portion of the tubular assembly, such that the nozzle is formed between an end of the sleeve and the shoulder, the axial width of the nozzle being determined by the extent to which the sleeve is screwed onto the smaller diameter portion, wherein an annular chamber is formed adjacent to the nozzle, the tool arranged so that the annular chamber is in fluid communication with fluid supplied to the tool.
39. A tool as claimed in claim 38 , wherein the sleeve and tubular assembly are lockable together to prevent relative axial movement therebetween.
40. A tool as claimed in claim 39 , further comprising grub screws passing through the sleeve for locking the sleeve and tubular assembly together.
41. A tool as claimed in claim 38 , wherein the generally tubular assembly comprises a central cavity, and wherein ports are provided in the smaller diameter portion to provide fluid communication between the central cavity and the annular chamber.
42. A tool as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the annular chamber is located between the smaller diameter portion of the tubular assembly and the sleeve, the annular chamber being formed by a reduced external diameter section on the smaller diameter portion and/or an increased internal diameter section on the sleeve.
43. A tool as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the tubular assembly comprises:
an extended member having an increased external diameter portion and a reduced internal diameter portion; and
an adjustment sleeve screwed onto the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member so as to surround a portion thereof, so that the adjustment sleeve and increased external diameter portion of the extended member together form the larger external diameter portion of the tubular assembly, the shoulder being formed by an end of the adjustment sleeve, and the remainder of the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member forms the smaller diameter portion of the tubular assembly.
44. A tool as claimed in claim 43 , wherein the annular chamber is located between the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member and the adjustment sleeve, the chamber being formed by a reduced external diameter section on the reduced internal diameter portion of the extended member and/or an increased internal diameter section on the adjustment sleeve.
45. A tool for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular, the tool having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
one or more elongate nozzles for ejecting fluid generally radially from the tool, the or each nozzle extending circumferentially around the tool, wherein the width of the or each nozzle in the axial direction is adjustable;
a generally tubular assembly comprising a larger external diameter portion and a smaller external diameter portion with a shoulder therebetween;
a sleeve located around the smaller external diameter portion of the tubular assembly and axially movable relative to the tubular assembly, such that the nozzle is formed between an end of the sleeve and the shoulder; and
a biasing mechanism biasing the sleeve towards the shoulder, so that the nozzle is closed when the fluid pressure in the tool is below a predetermined value, wherein an annular chamber is formed adjacent to the nozzle, the tool arranged so that the annular chamber is in fluid communication with fluid supplied to the tool; and wherein the nozzle is openable by fluid pressure overcoming the biasing force and moving the sleeve away from the shoulder.
46. A tool for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular, the tool having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
a plurality of elongate nozzles for ejecting fluid generally radially from the tool, the nozzles extending circumferentially around the tool and having complementary circumferential extension so that the nozzles collectively extend a predetermined circumferential distance around the tool;
a body surrounding a central cavity for receiving fluid, the nozzles extending through the body from the central cavity to the exterior of the tool; and
a fluid supply end in communication with the central cavity for connecting the tool to a fluid source, wherein the opposite end of the tool to the fluid supply end is closed.
47. A tool for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular, the tool having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
a plurality of elongate nozzles for ejecting fluid generally radially from the tool, the nozzles extending circumferentially around the tool and having complementary circumferential extension so that the nozzles collectively extend a predetermined circumferential distance around the tool;
a body surrounding a central cavity for receiving fluid, the nozzles extending through the body from the central cavity to the exterior of the tool; and
a fluid supply end in communication with the central cavity for connecting the tool to a fluid source, wherein the opposite end of the tool to the fluid supply end includes an axial exit bore in fluid communication with the central cavity for receiving an axial discharge nozzle.
48. A tool for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular, the tool having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
a plurality of elongate nozzles for ejecting fluid generally radially from the tool, the nozzles extending circumferentially around the tool and having complementary circumferential extension so that the nozzles collectively extend a predetermined circumferential distance around the tool;
a body surrounding a central cavity for receiving fluid, the nozzles extending through the body from the central cavity to the exterior of the tool;
a fluid supply end in communication with the central cavity for connecting the tool to a fluid source, wherein the opposite end of the tool to the fluid supply end is open to allow the passage of fluid; and
a movable sleeve member located in the central cavity which restricts fluid communication between the central cavity and the nozzles and which allows fluid communication between the fluid supply end and the opposite end of the tool, said sleeve member being releasably attached to the body and including a seat for receiving a plug, the sleeve member being movable in response to the receipt of the plug to a position in which it does not restrict fluid communication between the central cavity and the nozzles.