Granted Patent B2

US 12,529,277 · App. 18/355,262 · Granted Jan 20, 2026

Inventor: Abdullah M. Alharith (Dhahran, SA)

Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY

E21B29/02E21B7/15E21B29/002

Abstract

Claims (50)

1 . A hybrid-milling tool, comprising:

a milling rotary body extending from a toolstring at a first end;

a fiber optic cable extending through the milling rotary body;

one or more milling knives fixed to and extending outwardly from the milling rotary body at a second end of the milling rotary body, opposite the first end; and

a laser head extending from the second end of the milling rotary body,

wherein the fiber optic cable is connected to the laser head, and

wherein the laser head is configured to rotate about a central axis of the milling rotary body.

2 . The hybrid-milling tool of claim 1 , wherein the laser head is configured to emit a laser beam directed in a radially outward direction from the central axis.

3 . The hybrid-milling tool of claim 1 , wherein the one or more milling knives is a single milling knife that extends circumferentially around the milling rotary body and helically along a length of the milling rotary body.

4 . The hybrid-milling tool of claim 1 , wherein the laser head is powered by a laser generator located at a surface location.

5 . The hybrid-milling tool of claim 1 , wherein the laser head comprises a laser outlet positioned an axial distance from the one or more milling knives.

6 . The hybrid-milling tool of claim 1 , wherein the laser head is configured to create a partial cut in a target section of a casing wall, thereby forming a weakened casing wall.

7 . The hybrid-milling tool of claim 6 , wherein the one or more milling knives is configured to cut through the weakened casing wall.

8 . A method, comprising:

providing a hybrid-milling tool on a toolstring in a well,

wherein the hybrid-milling tool comprises:

a milling rotary body extending from the toolstring at a first end;

a fiber optic cable extending through the milling rotary body;

one or more milling knives extending outwardly from the milling rotary body at a second end of the milling rotary body; and

a laser head extending from the milling rotary body;

lowering the hybrid-milling tool to a target section of a casing wall disposed within the well;

generating a laser beam from a laser power generator;

directing the laser beam from the laser power generator, through the fiber optic cable, to the laser head;

emitting the laser beam from the laser head at a first laser power;

rotating the laser head about a central axis of the milling rotary body;

creating a partial cut in the form of a helical groove in the casing wall with the laser beam in the target section, thereby forming a weakened casing wall; and

cutting, using the one or more milling knives, through the weakened casing wall.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the laser head is rotated with the milling rotary body.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the hybrid-milling tool is rotated by rotating the toolstring using surface equipment of the well.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the hybrid-milling tool is rotated about the central axis to rotate the one or more milling knives as the one or more milling knives cut the casing wall.

12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising continuously lowering the hybrid-milling tool into the well and lengthening the helical groove in the casing wall.

13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining a thickness of the casing wall; and

selecting the first laser power based, at least in part, on the thickness of the casing wall.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

detecting a change in the thickness of the casing wall;

selecting a second laser power based, at least in part, on the change in the thickness of the casing wall; and

generating the laser beam by the laser power generator at the second laser power.

15 . A system, comprising:

a toolstring lowered into a well having a casing wall;

a hybrid-milling tool secured to a first end of the toolstring, where the hybrid-milling tool comprises:

a milling rotary body extending from the toolstring at the first end;

one or more milling knives extending outwardly from the milling rotary body at a second end of the milling rotary body; and

a laser head extending from the second end of the milling rotary body; and

a fiber optic cable extending along the toolstring and through the milling rotary body to the laser head,

wherein the laser head is configured to create a partial cut in a target section of the casing wall, thereby forming a weakened casing wall, and

wherein the one or more milling knives is configured to cut through the weakened casing wall.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the laser head comprises a laser outlet oriented to direct a laser beam in an outwardly direction from a central axis of the hybrid-milling tool.

17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the one or milling knives is a single milling knife that extends circumferentially around the milling rotary body and helically along a length of the milling rotary body.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the laser head is powered by a laser generator located at a surface location of the well.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (30)