Conforming magnet tool for recovery of downhole debris

1. A debris removal tool for use in removing metallic debris from a wellbore, the debris removal tool comprising:

a housing defining a central bore; and

a plurality of magnetic members retained within the central bore and axially moveable with respect to the housing while retained within the central bore, the magnetic members each presenting a contact surface to contact and form a magnetic attachment to the metallic debris.

2. The debris removal tool of claim 1 wherein at least one of the magnetic members comprises an elongated tube containing a plurality of magnets.

3. The debris removal tool of claim 1 wherein the plurality of magnetic members is retained within the central bore by a magnetic member retaining portion having openings within which each of the magnetic members is retained.

4. The debris removal tool of claim 1 wherein the central bore further comprises a radially enlarged portion into which the metallic debris is received.

5. The debris removal tool of claim 1 wherein at least one of the magnetic members comprises an electromagnet.

6. The debris removal tool of claim 1 wherein movement of the magnetic members with respect to the housing allows the magnetic members to conform to a shape of the metallic debris to provide increased magnetic force for debris pickup.

7. The debris removal tool of claim 1 wherein the magnetic members are further moveable in an angular manner with respect to an axis of the debris removal tool.

8. A debris removal tool assembly for use in removing metallic debris from a wellbore, the debris removal tool assembly comprising:

a running string that is run into the wellbore from surface, the running string having a distal end;

a debris removal tool affixed to the distal end of the running string, the debris removal tool having:

a housing defining a central bore; and

a plurality of magnetic members retained within the central bore and axially moveable with respect to the housing while retained within the central bore, the magnetic members each presenting a contact surface to contact and form a magnetic attachment to the metallic debris.

9. The debris removal tool assembly of claim 8 wherein at least one of the magnetic members comprises an elongated tube containing a plurality of magnets.

10. The debris removal tool assembly of claim 9 wherein the central bore further comprises a radially enlarged portion into which the metallic debris is received.

11. The debris removal tool assembly of claim 8 wherein the plurality of magnetic members is retained within the central bore by a magnetic member retaining portion having openings within which each of the magnetic members is retained.

12. The debris removal tool of claim 8 wherein at least one of the magnetic members comprises an electromagnet.

13. The debris removal tool assembly of claim 8 wherein movement of the magnetic members with respect to the housing allows the magnetic members to conform to a shape of the metallic debris to provide increased magnetic force for debris pickup.

14. The debris removal tool assembly of claim 8 wherein the magnetic members are further moveable in an angular manner with respect to an axis of the debris removal tool.

15. A method for removing metallic debris from a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing a debris removal tool assembly into the wellbore, the debris removal tool assembly having a housing defining a central bore and a plurality of magnetic members retained within the central bore and axially moveable with respect to the housing while retained within the central bore, the magnetic members each presenting a contact surface to contact and form a magnetic attachment to the metallic debris;

contacting the metallic debris with contact surfaces of at least some of the magnetic members to form a magnetic attraction therewith; and

removing the debris removal tool assembly and metallic debris from the wellbore.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein:

the central bore of the housing presents a radially enlarged portion; and

the metallic debris is received into the radially enlarged portion before the magnetic attachment is formed.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of contacting the metallic debris with contact surfaces of at least some of the magnetic members to form a magnetic attraction therewith further comprises allowing the magnetic members to conform to a shape of the metallic debris to provide increased magnetic force for debris pickup.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the magnetic members are further moveable in an angular manner with respect to an axis of the debris removal tool.