Downhole impact generation tool and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016102514-A1
Application number	US-201314344394-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 11, 2013
Priority date	Apr 11, 2013
Publication date	Apr 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed is an impact generation tool used to deliver a large downhole impact force. The impact generator may include a housing having an uphole end and a downhole end and defining a chamber therein between the uphole and downhole ends, a mandrel movably arranged at least partially within the chamber between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, a top sub coupled to the housing at the uphole end and having an upper core extension arranged at least partially therein, the upper core extension being configured to move between a fixed position, whereby the mandrel is maintained in the engaged configuration, and an unfixed position, whereby the mandrel is able to move to the disengaged configuration, and an impact tool coupled to a distal end of the mandrel and being configured to deliver an impact force to a downhole obstruction when the mandrel is moved to the disengaged configuration.

First claim

1 . A downhole impact generator, comprising:
a housing having an uphole end and a downhole end and defining a chamber therein between the uphole and downhole ends; a mandrel movably arranged at least partially within the chamber between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; a top sub coupled to the housing at the uphole end and having an upper core extension arranged at least partially therein, the upper core extension being configured to move between a fixed position, where the mandrel is maintained in the engaged configuration, and an unfixed position, where the mandrel is able to move to the disengaged configuration; and an impact tool coupled to a distal end of the mandrel and being configured to deliver an impact force to a downhole obstruction when the mandrel is moved to the disengaged configuration.

2 . The downhole impact generator of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing device axially arranged within the chamber between the housing and a shoulder defined on the mandrel, the biasing device being configured to move between a compressed configuration, where the mandrel is in the engaged configuration, and an expanded configuration, where the biasing device moves the mandrel to the disengaged configuration.

3 . The downhole impact generator of claim 2 , further comprising an anvil arranged within the housing at or near the downhole end, the anvil being configured to engage and stop the shoulder of the mandrel as the biasing device moves the mandrel to its disengaged configuration.

4 . The downhole impact generator of claim 1 , further comprising one or more lugs configured to be received within an annular groove defined on the mandrel in order to maintain the mandrel in the engaged configuration.

5 . The downhole impact generator of claim 4 , further comprising one or more slots defined in the upper core extension and configured to receive the one or more lugs when the upper core extension moves to the unfixed position.

6 . The downhole impact generator of claim 1 , further comprising one or more shearable devices configured to secure the upper core extension in the fixed position.

7 . The downhole impact generator of claim 1 , further comprising a loading tool configured to move the mandrel back into the engaged configuration, the loading tool comprising:
a loading sleeve having a first end coupled to the downhole end of the housing; an end cap coupled to a second end of the loading sleeve and defining a passage therethrough; and an adjusting rod extending longitudinally through the passage of the end cap and being engageable with the distal end of the mandrel such that moving the adjusting rod in a first direction moves the mandrel axially within the housing toward its engaged configuration.

8 . The downhole impact generator of claim 7 , wherein the passage is threaded and the adjusting rod defines a series of threads that are engageable with the passage such that rotation of the adjusting rod about a central axis results in axial translation of the adjusting rod in the first direction with respect to the end cap.

9 . The downhole impact generator of claim 7 , wherein the adjusting rod is moved in the first direction with an actuation device.

10 . A method of delivering an impact force to a downhole obstruction within a wellbore, comprising:
conveying an impact generator to the downhole obstruction, the impact generator comprising a housing, a mandrel movably arranged at least partially within a chamber defined in the housing, and a top sub coupled to an uphole end of the housing and having an upper core extension arranged at least partially within the top sub; moving the upper core extension from a fixed position, where the mandrel is maintained in an engaged configuration within the housing, to an unfixed position, where the mandrel is able to move to a disengaged configuration; moving the mandrel to the disengaged configuration with a biasing device axially arranged within the chamber; and impacting the downhole obstruction with an impact tool coupled to a distal end of the mandrel when the mandrel is moved to the disengaged configuration.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising maintaining the mandrel in the engaged configuration using one or more lugs received within an annular groove defined on the mandrel.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein moving the upper core extension from the fixed position to the unfixed position comprises:
receiving the one or more lugs within one or more slots defined in the upper core extension; and freeing mandrel from engagement with the one or more lugs such that the biasing device is able to move the mandrel to the disengaged configuration.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the upper core extension is secured in the fixed position with one or more shearable devices, and moving the upper core extension from the fixed position to the unfixed position comprises:
receiving an axial impact force with the upper core extension; breaking the one or more shearable devices and thereby allowing the upper core extension to move to the unfixed position; receiving the one or more lugs within one or more slots defined in the upper core extension; and freeing mandrel from engagement with the one or more lugs such that the biasing device is able to move the mandrel to the disengaged configuration.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein moving the mandrel to the disengaged configuration with the biasing device further comprises allowing the biasing device to move from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration.

15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the mandrel defines a shoulder that extends radially therefrom, the method further comprising engaging the shoulder of the mandrel with an anvil arranged within the housing at or near the downhole end as the biasing device moves the mandrel to its disengaged configuration.

16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the downhole obstruction is at least one of debris and a well tool disposed in the wellbore and wherein impacting the downhole obstruction with the impact tool further comprises breaking up the debris and/or the well tool such that communication therethrough within the wellbore is facilitated.

17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the downhole obstruction is a well tool disposed in the wellbore and impacting the downhole obstruction with the impact tool further comprises activating the well tool.

18 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
removing the impact tool from the distal end of the mandrel; coupling a loading sleeve to the downhole end of the housing, the loading sleeve having an end cap secured therein and defining a threaded passage therethrough; coupling an adjusting rod to the distal end of the mandrel, the adjusting rod extending longitudinally through the threaded passage of the end cap and defining a series of threads that are engageable with the threaded passage; rotating the adjusting rod about a central axis and thereby axially translating the adjusting rod and the mandrel in an uphole direction, whereby the mandrel is urged back toward its engaged configuration.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising receiving one or more lugs within an annular groove defined on the mandrel and thereby securing the mandrel in the engaged configuration.

20 . A downhole impact generator, comprising:
a housing having an uphole end and a downhole end and a chamber defined therein between a lip defined within the housing and an anvil a

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Miller Todd Blaine
• Clemens Jack Gammill

Classifications

• E21B31/113

  hydraulically-operated · CPC title

• E21B47/12

  Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling · CPC title

• E21B31/107 Primary

  using impact means for releasing stuck parts, e.g. jars · CPC title