Method and apparatus for cleaning internal surfaces of downhole casing strings and other tubular goods

Abstract

A downhole cleaning assembly and method of cleaning a tubular. Generally, the downhole assembly is connected to a work string concentrically located within a casing string. In one embodiment, the downhole assembly comprises a tool body operatively connected to a work string. At least one pad member is connected to the tool body, with the pad member having cutting technology, such as, for example, hardened elements or “inserts,” (commonly used in connection with drill bits) along certain outer peripheral surfaces of the pad member. Such cutting technology includes, but is not necessarily limited to, Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) inserts, tungsten carbide inserts or diamond bit elements commonly used in connection with drill bit technology.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]THIS APPLICATION CLAIMS THE BENEFIT OF, AND PRIORITY FROM, U.S. PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION SER. NO. 61 / 126,333 FILED MAY 2, 2008, SER. NO. 61 / 128,724 FILED MAY 23, 2008, AND SER. NO. 61 / 134,853 FILED JUL. 14, 2008, WHICH ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN.STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT [0002]NONEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for removing debris from the inner surfaces of well bores. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for mechanically removing dried cement and other hardened debris from internal surfaces of casing and / or other tubular goods. More particularly still, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for cleaning the inner surfaces of casing strings and / or other tubular goods using cutting technology, such as, f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]An advantage of the present invention includes the ability to thoroughly clean the internal surfaces of casing and other tubular goods of a course material such as cement and other materials. Another advantage is a design that permits easy removal, replacement and / or interchangeability of pad members (and related cutting technology) including, without limitation, at remote locations such as on drilling rigs and the like.

includes the ability to thoroughly clean the internal surfaces of casing and other tubular goods of a course material such as cement and other materials. Another advantage is a design that permits easy removal, replacement and / or interchangeability of pad members (and related cutting technology) including, without limitation, at remote locations such as on drilling rigs and the like.

Problems solved by technology

Such cement and other debris can negatively impact the ultimate productivity of a well.

However, existing scrapers and related devices are inefficient, susceptible to wear, and have provided less than optimal results.

In many cases, existing scrapers fail to fully remove cement and other debris from internal surfaces of casing and other tubular goods.

Frequently, existing scrapers can “ride over” cement and other hardened debris adhering to the inner surfaces of the casing and / or other tubular goods, and will fail to break up such cement or other debris for ultimate removal from the well bore.

Further, when the amount of cement or other hardened debris on the internal surfaces of casing is excessive, existing scrapers have been known to fail and / or break apart downhole.

Such failure can result in portions of the scraper tool being lost in the well, which can negatively impact subsequent operations in the well and / or productivity of such well.

While conventional scrapers may be sufficient to remove relatively small amounts of debris from casing, there is great risk that such conventional scrapers can fail or break apart when confronted with greater amounts of cement or other debris.

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