Extending laser tool

Abstract

A laser tool apparatus includes a tool body, an optical fiber cable disposed in the tool body, the optical fiber cable including a laser head that emits a laser beam, a shaping optic coaxially disposed downstream of the optical fiber cable, the shaping optic shaping the laser beam emitted from the laser head, and a flexible cable attached to the shaping optic. The flexible cable flexibly directs the laser beam to a desired angle within a borehole.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 801,465, filed February 26, 2020, entitled “Extended Laser Tool,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The subject matter described in this disclosure relates to apparatus and systems for removing obstacles and objects from boreholes using flexible laser cables. Background Technology

[0004] Laser technology has been implemented in the oil and gas industry for many years due to its unique properties, such as precision, reliability, controllability, and cost. High-power laser technology has been identified for many applications, including sensing, drilling, well completion, and well workover.

[0005] Scale deposits consist of inorganic material deposits covering metal pipes, scrap metal, hand tools, drill pipe sections, drill collars, directional drilling kits, and other objects. Scale buildup can be caused by chemical reactions, pressure or temperature changes, or variations in the composition of the solution within the borehole. Scale accumulation can reduce or completely block fluid flow through the borehole. This can cause problems, especially when the object is located underground and is therefore difficult to access. Accessing hard-to-reach target locations using conventional mechanical milling can be challenging.

[0006] Laser tools typically have a beam emitted from the center or side of the tool, and the beam travels in a straight line. In some cases, it is necessary for the beam to be positioned at the edge of the borehole, parallel to the borehole wall and at a very close distance, so that the beam can remove material from the wall, while the tool body may restrict the beam due to the tool's configuration. This situation is suitable for applications where the laser head is inserted into a confined borehole.

[0007] During drilling and workover operations, pipes, downhole tools, or other objects can become stuck in the wellbore for a variety of reasons, including casing bending and tools falling into the borehole. Traditional laser heads may emit a laser beam from the center of the tool and cannot deliver the beam at the acute angle required to reach and cut through the stuck object for removal. As a result, laser-based tools may not currently exist for performing retrieval operations in these situations. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure include apparatus and systems for using a high-power laser in critical areas restricted by the shape, size, and location of the target area. Embodiments of this disclosure can be used to extend the laser beam parallel to or at an angle to approach any point in the borehole. The tool can be used alone to remove stuck objects or integrated with a retrieval tool. The tool can also be used for other applications, such as descaling, cleaning, condensate and tar removal in critical areas restricted by the shape, size, and location of the target area. The tool can be used for applications including retrieving stuck tools that may be stuck due to scaling, descaling and removing material from pipe surfaces, reaching and delivering a laser beam to hard-to-reach areas, dressing wellbores, and cleaning wellbores. The tool may include a flexible cable to carry optical fibers to remote and hard-to-reach areas. Embodiments of this disclosure allow the laser beam to extend at different locations and reach hard-to-reach targets. Embodiments of this disclosure may include a fiber laser (e.g., a ytterbium fiber laser) and an optical fiber delivery system. The optical fiber delivery system may include a laser tool to deliver the laser beam via the optical fiber. Using the flexible cable, the laser tool can be flexible and bendable. The flexible cable may include optical fiber. Embodiments of this disclosure may include apparatus and systems for using high-power laser technology to cut stuck pipes and remove objects near the surface or underground.

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a laser tool apparatus, comprising: a tool body; an optical fiber cable disposed in the tool body, the optical fiber cable including a laser head for emitting a laser beam; a shaping optics device coaxially disposed downstream of the optical fiber, the shaping optics device shaping the laser beam emitted from the laser head; and a flexible cable attached to the shaping optics device, wherein the flexible cable flexibly directs the laser beam to a desired angle within a borehole.

[0010] In some embodiments, during a salvage operation, the laser beam removes obstacles within the borehole and cuts the object.

[0011] In some embodiments, the laser head further includes an anti-reflective surface coating.

[0012] In some embodiments, the shaping optics further includes an anti-reflective surface coating.

[0013] In some embodiments, the shaping optics includes a cylindrical body and a conical top, wherein the conical top receives a laser beam from the fiber optic cable.

[0014] In some embodiments, the shaping optics further includes a lens assembly and a cleaning nozzle.

[0015] In some embodiments, the lens group adjusts the size of the laser beam emitted from the laser head.

[0016] In some embodiments, the device further includes a camera.

[0017] In some embodiments, the camera includes an optical camera.

[0018] In some embodiments, the camera includes an acoustic camera.

[0019] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a nozzle for coaxial cleaning, the nozzle being attached to the end of the flexible cable, the nozzle including a nozzle tip. The nozzle tip increases the cleaning flow and prevents debris from flowing back towards the flexible cable.

[0020] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a mounting system for holding the laser head and the shaping optics.

[0021] In some embodiments, the installation system includes a rotary table integrated into the tool body, which enables the flexible cable to perform a rotational circular motion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mounting system includes a telescopic axial stage that adjusts the axial height of the shaping optics within the borehole.

[0023] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a beam splitter operatively coupled to the shaping optics, which splits the laser beam from the shaping optics and delivers the resulting laser beam to a plurality of flexible cables coupled downstream of the beam splitter.

[0024] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a drill bit, and the apparatus performs drilling and retrieval.

[0025] In another aspect, the present invention relates to an optical fiber transmission system, comprising: an optical fiber tool body; a shaping optics device; at least one flexible cable attached to the shaping optics device; and a control system. The control system orients the flexible cable in a desired direction within a borehole.

[0026] In some embodiments, the shaping optics are disposed downstream of the fiber optic tool body. The shaping optics and the fiber optic tool body are connected to an installation system.

[0027] In some embodiments, the fiber optic tool body includes a fiber optic cable that includes a laser head to deliver a laser beam to the shaping optics.

[0028] In some embodiments, the laser head operates at a power from about one (1) kW to about ten (10) kW.

[0029] Throughout this specification, where an apparatus, system, or embodiment is described as having, including, or comprising specific components, or where a method is described as having, including, or comprising specific steps, it is also conceivable that there exist systems, apparatus, or embodiments according to the invention that are substantially composed of or comprised of said components, and methods according to the invention that are substantially composed of or comprised of said processing steps.

[0030] It should be understood that the order of steps or the order in which specific actions are performed is irrelevant as long as the invention remains operable. Furthermore, two or more steps or actions can be performed simultaneously.

[0031] The following description is for illustrative and exemplary purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described.

[0032] Any publications mentioned in this disclosure (such as those mentioned in the Background section) are not intended as an admission that such publication is prior art relative to any claim of the invention. The Background section is given for clarity and is not intended as a description of prior art relative to any claim. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The complete and implementable disclosure of embodiments of this disclosure, including its best mode, is set forth in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary wellbore or borehole with a drill bit is shown;

[0035] Figure 2 A side view of an exemplary wellbore or borehole with laser tools is shown;

[0036] Figure 3 A side view of an exemplary laser tool is shown;

[0037] Figure 4 A side view of a laser tool according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 5 A side view of a laser tool according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 6 A side view of a laser tool according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0040] Figure 7A side view of a laser tool according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0041] Figure 8 A side view of a laser tool according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0042] Figure 9 A side view of a laser tool according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0043] Figure 10 A side view of one embodiment of a laser tool according to various aspects of the present invention is shown;

[0044] Figure 11 A side view of one embodiment of a shaping optics according to various aspects of the present invention is shown;

[0045] Figure 12 An enlarged side view of a shaping optics device according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown; and

[0046] Figure 13 An enlarged side view of a shaping optics device according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of this disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Detailed description uses numerical and / or alphabetic designations to refer to features in the drawings. The same or similar reference numerals in the drawings and specification are used to denote the same or similar portions of embodiments of the invention.

[0048] Embodiments of this invention relate to improved apparatus and systems for underground applications requiring a laser beam to reach a target location within a borehole (including, for example, the edge of a stuck pipe), allowing a parallel beam to reach the target. Embodiments of this invention help prevent the laser beam from contacting the borehole surface for cutting and removing inaccessible objects. Currently available tools deliver the beam from the center or side of the tool, making it difficult for the beam to reach specific areas because the tool body may be an obstacle and may not allow the beam to travel parallel to the borehole wall. The proposed tool allows the beam to be delivered to inaccessible targets using a flexible cable or nozzle incorporating optical fibers, enabling laser beam delivery to the target; this could also be used in salvage operations and other applications.

[0049] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side view of a borehole 12 formed using a drilling platform 10 is shown. The drilling platform 10 may include a drill rig 16. Workers may primarily work on the drill rig 16 above the ground surface 18. Figure 1In one embodiment, workers can use drill pipe 20 to drill in borehole 12. Drill pipe 20 may include drill bit 22. Figure 2 In one embodiment, the operator may use laser tool 24. Laser tool 24 may include laser head 26. In another embodiment, the operator may simultaneously perform drilling and use laser tool 24 (e.g., for in-situ retrieval operations).

[0050] Figure 3 A side view of an exemplary laser tool is shown. Laser tool 24 may include a laser head 26 inserted into a borehole 12. The borehole 12 may be located at the surface or underground. The laser head 26 may emit a laser beam 28 from the tool's center 30. This configuration may prevent the beam from interacting with a target area 60 (e.g., an obstacle 32, such as scale) or an object 34 (e.g., the entire stuck pipe). In one embodiment, in order to interact with a target area (e.g., scale or a portion of a stuck pipe) at the borehole wall 14, the laser beam 28 must be parallel to the borehole 12 and very close to the borehole wall 14. These limitations make it difficult to remove accumulated scale and retrieve stuck pipes using current exemplary laser tools.

[0051] Figure 4 A side view of a laser tool 50 according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 In this embodiment, the laser tool 50 can be used in applications where pipes or downhole tools are stuck in the borehole 12. The laser tool 50 may include a tool body 36, which includes an optical fiber cable 38 for transmitting a laser beam 28. The laser beam 28 can be emitted from a laser head 26 located at the bottom end of the optical fiber cable 38 and can enter a shaping optics 42. The shaping optics 42 may be coaxially positioned downstream of the laser head 26 within the borehole 12. The shaping optics 42 can shape the laser beam 28 emitted from the laser head 26 to expand or narrow the laser beam 28 and guide an output laser beam 44 to a target area 60, such as a tool, pipe, or other object 34 stuck in the borehole 12 due to the presence of an obstacle 32 or other factors. While gaining better access to a hard-to-reach target, the output laser beam 44 can be oriented at an angle (not shown) to the target area 60, and the laser beam 44 can thus reach a limited portion of the target area 60 due to this angle. The output laser beam 44 may also generate heat, which could affect the stuck tool, pipe, or other object 34. To overcome this problem, and based on the beam delivery system, an extended beam delivery is proposed, wherein the improved laser tool 50 has a flexible fiber optic cable 52 that can be selectively directed to the edge of the laser tool 50, thereby emitting a parallel output laser beam 44 to aim at the stuck tool, pipe, or other object 34 or scale 32, such as... Figure 5As shown.

[0052] Figures 5 to 9 A side view of a laser tool 50 according to various aspects of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The laser tool 50 may include a tool body 36 and an optical fiber cable 38 to carry a laser beam 28. The laser beam 28 may exit from a laser head 26 of the optical fiber cable 38 into a shaping optics 42, which shapes the laser beam 28. The shaping optics 42 may be coaxially disposed downstream of the laser head 26 within a borehole 12. Both the shaping optics 42 and the laser head 26 may include surface films or coatings (not shown) to reduce heat and energy loss. The coating material may include an anti-reflective coating, such as magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, silicon dioxide, and other suitable coatings. The anti-reflective coating material may be in the form of a single layer or multiple layers. The shaping optics 42 may be generally cylindrical, having a tapered top 65 in which the laser beam 28 can be received. The shaping optics 42 is operatively capable of communicating the laser beam 28 into a flexible cable 52. The flexible cable 52 is movable to direct the laser beam 28 in any direction. The flexible cable 52 can be moved in any direction by means of, for example, electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic means. One end of the flexible cable 52 can be attached to the shaping optics 42, and the other end can be attached to a nozzle 56 for coaxial cleaning. The nozzle 56 may include a nozzle tip 58 that is narrower than the nozzle 56, thereby increasing the velocity of the cleaning flow to prevent debris from flowing back toward or into the flexible cable 52. The flexible cable 52 may include a camera 54 to image the borehole 12 and the target area 60. The camera 54 may be optical, acoustic, or a combination of both. In applications where there is a transparent fluid or gas in the borehole 12, an optical camera 54 may be used. If the borehole 12 contains an opaque fluid, an acoustic camera 54 may be used. Acoustic cameras rely on the travel of sound through solids, fluids, and gases, and therefore may work better in opaque and turbid environments where optical cameras may not function as expected. The flexible cable 52 can be integrated with a salvage tool (not shown) used for salvage operations.

[0053] Still refer to Figures 5 to 9 The flexible cable 52 can be controlled from the ground surface (or ground) to reach the target area 60. Tools, pipes, or other objects 34 may get stuck due to obstacles 32 (such as scale). The flexible cable 52 can be controlled hydraulically, mechanically, or electrically and may include an articulated arm. The flexible cable 52 can be adapted to emit an angled laser beam 28 parallel to the borehole wall 14 and can begin cutting or trimming the target area 60 to retrieve the object 34 from the borehole 12.

[0054] Still refer to Figures 5 to 9The laser tool 50 may include a mounting system 61 as a support structure. The mounting system 61 may include a rotary table 62 and an axial table 63. The rotary table 62 may be integrated with the laser tool 50, allowing the flexible cable 52 to rotate to form a circular motion, thereby enabling circumferential cutting to remove scale from the borehole 12. The axial table 63 may be telescopic, used to adjust the axial height or depth of the laser tool 50 within the borehole 12.

[0055] Still refer to Figures 5 to 9 The laser head 26 can receive and transmit the laser beam 28 from a laser source (not shown). The laser head 26 may house an optical assembly (not shown) including optical components (e.g., lenses) to guide, shape, and size the laser beam 28. The laser head 26 and shaping optics 42 are assembled at the surface and screwed onto the main laser tool 50 or fiber optic cable 38 using any suitable mechanism (e.g., ferrule connection, clamp, pipe thread, adhesive, assembly, etc.). When the wellbore is filled with an opaque fluid, the laser beam 28 may not operate as intended. Depending on the fluid, some wavelengths can pass through the fluid with minimal loss. In the presence of an opaque fluid, a coaxial cleaning medium can be used to clear the path of the laser beam 28. The coaxial cleaning medium may include steam, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water, fuel gas, or other suitable media.

[0056] In one embodiment, according to the invention, the laser may include a power range from about 1 kW to about 10 kW, from about 2 kW to about 10 kW, from about 2 kW to about 8 kW, or from about 3 kW to about 6 kW. In another embodiment, according to the disclosure, the laser may include a fixed voltage (e.g., 3-phase 480 volts 50 / 60 Hz). In another embodiment, according to the invention, the laser may include an operating frequency range up to about 5 kHz, from about 1 kHz to about 5 kHz, or from about 2 kHz to about 4 kHz. In another embodiment, according to the disclosure, the laser may include a bandwidth range up to about 1070 nm, from about 200 nm to about 800 nm, or from about 400 nm to about 600 nm. In another embodiment, any laser with fiber optic transmission can be used. The laser tool 50 may be operated and its functions regulated using a conventional control system. The control panel may be located on the surface or operated from a remote location. Power and communication links may be brought downhole via one or more cable units with multiple conductors, reaching the laser and flexible cables.

[0057] Still refer to Figures 5 to 9According to the present invention, the laser beam 28 in the shaping optics 42 can be operated with a fixed voltage. In another embodiment, the laser beam 28 in the shaping optics 42 can be operated with a fixed current. Depending on the application, the power can be adjusted (e.g., from about 1 kW to about 10 kW, or from about 2 kW to about 10 kW, or from about 2 kW to about 8 kW, or from about 3 kW to about 6 kW). The interior of the shaping optics 42 can be uniform, without depressions or contour lines, so that energy can be uniformly distributed within the shaping laser beam 44.

[0058] Still refer to Figures 5 to 9 The flexible cable 52 may be externally covered by a protective element to provide heat and pressure resistance and withstand downhole fluid, gas, and debris conditions. The flexible cable 52 may include internally shielded optical fibers that house a laser beam 28 transformed by shaping optics 42. The outer layer of the flexible cable 52 may include multiple mating links, which may be shell-shaped or hemispherical, each inserted into an adjacent link and rotatable or hinged within the adjacent links. The external structure of the flexible cable 52 may include metals, industrial plastics (e.g., thermoplastics, polyetheretherketone (PEEK)), steel (e.g., austenitic steel, carbon steel, galvanized steel), and other suitable materials.

[0059] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The flexible cable 52 can remove obstacles 32 in different areas. Figure 5 In this embodiment, the obstacle 32 may be located at the borehole wall 14. The flexible cable 52 can be hydraulically, mechanically, or electrically controlled to guide the articulated arm to a suitable angle, thereby emitting an output laser beam 44 parallel to the borehole wall 14, and initiating cutting or trimming of the target area 60, as well as removing scale or other obstacles 32. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the obstacle 32 may be located at the borehole wall 14 within the target area 60. The obstacle 32 may be downstream of the object 34 (e.g., a stuck pipe) and may be difficult to reach. The flexible cable 52 may be hydraulically, mechanically, or electrically controlled such that the articulated arm of the flexible cable 52 can pass through the area surrounding the object 34 within the borehole 12 and be guided to a suitable angle to fire an output laser beam 44 toward the obstacle 32. The output laser beam 44 may begin to cut or trim the target area 60, thereby removing the obstacle 32 (e.g., scale). The articulated arm of the flexible cable 52 may rotate or wrap around the object 34 and retrieve the object 34 from the borehole 12.

[0060] Reference Figure 7Obstacles 32 (e.g., scale) can block objects 34 (e.g., stuck pipes) within the borehole 12. Object 34 may become stuck in the borehole 12. The flexible cable 52 can be controlled hydraulically, mechanically, or electrically, allowing the articulated arm of the flexible cable 52, which can be integrated with a retrieval tool, to pass through the area surrounding object 34 within the borehole 12, rotate or wrap around object 34, and retrieve object 34 from the borehole 12.

[0061] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 The flexible cable 52 may include two or more flexible cables 52A, 52B. A beam splitter 64 may be positioned between the shaping optics 42 and the two or more flexible cables 52A, 52B to split the laser beam 28 into two or more beams (not shown) to enter the flexible cables 52A, 52B respectively. The flexible cables 52A, 52B may include two or more cameras 54A, 54B for observing the borehole 12 and the target area 60. The flexible cables 52A, 52B may include two or more nozzles 56A, 56B and two or more nozzle tips 58A, 58B. The flexible cables 52A, 52B may be controlled hydraulically, mechanically, or electrically. Figure 8 In one embodiment, the scale 32 may include two obstacles (e.g., scale areas) 32A, 32B located on the borehole wall 14 upstream and downstream of the object 34. The object 34 may become stuck between the two obstacles (e.g., scale areas) 32A, 32B. A first flexible cable 52A is positioned downstream of the beam splitter 64 and can be controlled to guide the articulated arm to a suitable angle to emit a first output laser beam 44A parallel to the borehole wall 14, and can initiate cutting or trimming of the target area 60, as well as removal of the first obstacle 32A (e.g., scale). A second flexible cable 52B is positioned downstream of the beam splitter 64 and can be controlled to pass through the area surrounding the object 34 within the borehole 12, allowing it to be guided to a suitable angle to emit a second output laser beam 44B toward the second obstacle 32B (e.g., scale). The second output laser beam 44B can begin cutting or trimming the target area 60, thereby removing the second obstacle 32B (e.g., scale). The articulated arms of the flexible cables 52A, 52B, or both 52A and 52B can be integrated with the retrieval tool and can further pass through the area surrounding the object 34 within the borehole 12, rotate or wrap around the object 34, and retrieve the object 34 from the borehole 12.

[0062] exist Figure 9In this embodiment, a first flexible cable 52A is positioned downstream of the beam splitter 64 and can be controlled to guide the articulated arm to a suitable angle to emit an output laser beam 44 parallel to the borehole wall 14. This allows for the initiation of cutting or trimming of the target area 60 and removal of obstacles 32 (e.g., scale). A second flexible cable 52B is positioned downstream of the beam splitter 64 and can be controlled to pass through the area surrounding the object 34 within the borehole 12, wrap around the object 34, and retrieve the object 34 from the borehole 12. Two or more flexible cables 52A, 52B can be used to perform the removal and retrieval of obstacles 32 by integrating a retrieval tool into the laser tool 50.

[0063] Figure 10 A side view of one embodiment of a laser tool 50 according to various aspects of the present invention is shown. A laser beam 28 can be emitted from an optical fiber cable 38 ( Figures 4 to 9 The laser head 26 (shown in the diagram) emits light into the shaping optics 42 for shaping. Both the shaping optics 42 and the laser head 26 may include surface films or coatings to reduce heat and energy loss. Coating materials may include magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, silicon oxide, or other suitable single-layer or multi-layer anti-reflective coating materials. The shaping optics 42 may be generally cylindrical, having a tapered top 65 in which the laser beam 28 is received. The shaping optics 42 operatively couples the laser beam 28 into a flexible cable 52. The flexible cable 52 may be attached to different heads and configurations. For example, the flexible cable 52 may be connected to a cleaning head 56 having a nozzle tip 58. The cleaning head 56 may have a nozzle tip 58 to improve the cleaning flow, resulting in a higher cleaning flow velocity, thereby preventing debris from flowing back towards the flexible cable 52.

[0064] Figure 11 A side view of one embodiment of a shaping optics device 42 according to various aspects of the present invention is shown. The shaping optics device 42 may include a first lens 66, a second lens 68, a third lens 70, and a cleaning nozzle 72. The second lens 68 may be longitudinally disposed between the first lens 66 and the third lens 70. In one embodiment, the first lens 66 may be a focusing lens, and the second lens 68 may be a recollimating lens. In another embodiment, the first lens 66 may be a focusing lens, and the second lens 68 may also be a focusing lens, to shape the light beam for focusing and defocusing.

[0065] Still refer to Figure 11The laser beam 28 exiting the laser head 26 from the fiber optic cable 38 and entering the shaping optics 42 may require shaping and sizing. The shaping optics 42 is used to shape the laser beam 28. The laser beam 28 may enter lenses 66, 68, 70 disposed within the shaping optics 42 and may be characteristically shaped (e.g., in terms of size, shape, frequency, and power) as it exits the shaping optics 42. The function of the shaping optics 42 may be to control the beam shape and size, and to operatively couple the laser beam 28 to the flexible cable 52. The shaping optics 42 may primarily comprise optics, fused silica lenses, diamond optics, and other optical components.

[0066] Figure 12 and Figure 13 An enlarged side view of a shaping optics device 42 according to various aspects of embodiments of the present invention is shown. The shaping optics device 42 can adjust the thickness, focal length, or focused area of ​​the laser beam 28 by adjusting the distance between the first lens 66 and the second lens 68. The distance 74 between the second lens 68 and the focal point 76 can be selectively adjusted by moving the second lens 68 closer to or further away from the focal point 76, thereby achieving the desired size of the output laser beam 44. Figure 12 In one embodiment, the shaping optics 42 can adjust the distance 74 between the second lens 68 and the focal point 76 to extend the output laser beam 44. Figure 13 In one embodiment, the shaping optics 42 can adjust the distance 74 between the second lens 68 and the focal point 76 to narrow the output laser beam 44.

[0067] After obstruction 32 (e.g., scale) is removed, the laser tool 50 can be retrieved from the borehole 12 using a coil unit, cable, or traction machine. The laser tool 50 can also be brought to the surface if it is being used for downhole operations. Additional system components may be required to realize the functionality of the invention, and cleaning may be included to clean the borehole and cool the optics.

[0068] Examples of scale that can be removed using laser tool 50 include calcite, aragonite, aragonite, anhydrite, gypsum, barite, celestite, tetragonal pyrite (iron sulfide), pyrite, rock salt, fluorite, sphalerite, and galena.

[0069] Examples of other objects from which laser tools can remove scale include casing, piping, valves, fittings, drill pipe, pumps, downhole completion tools, underground safety valves, screens, gravel packing, perforations, and other downhole components, equipment, and systems.

[0070] Other system configurations or component arrangements are possible or desirable to allow selective manipulation and articulation of the laser tool 50.

[0071] All or part of the tools and processes described in this specification, and their various modifications, may be controlled at least in part by a control system, which includes one or more computing systems using one or more computer programs. Examples of computing systems include (alone or in combination) one or more desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, server clusters, and mobile computing devices such as smartphones, feature phones, and tablet computers.

[0072] The laser tool 50 of this invention can be a standalone tool for removing stuck objects, or it can be integrated with a retrieval tool. The laser tool 50 can be used for other applications, such as descaling, cleaning, trimming, and removal of condensate and tar.

[0073] The components of the different specific implementations described can be combined to form other specific implementations not specifically described in this disclosure. Components may be omitted from the described process without adversely affecting the operation of the process or the system as a whole. Furthermore, various separate components can be combined into one or more individual components to perform the functions described in this specification.

[0074] Other specific implementations not specifically described in this specification are also within the scope of the appended claims.

[0075] These features, aspects, and advantages of the invention, as well as other features, aspects, and advantages, will become more readily understood with reference to the following description and the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the related description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

[0076] Specific definition

[0077] To facilitate understanding of this disclosure, specific terms are defined below. Additional definitions for these terms, as well as other terms, are set forth throughout the specification.

[0078] The description of an apparatus, system, or method in this disclosure as "comprising" one or more specified elements or steps is open-ended, meaning that the specified elements or steps are necessary, but other elements or steps may be added within the scope of the apparatus, system, or method. To avoid verbosity, it should also be understood that any apparatus, system, or method described as "comprising" (or "including") one or more specified elements or steps is also described as a correspondingly more limited apparatus, system, or method "substantially composed of" the same specified elements or steps, meaning that the apparatus, system, or method includes the specified necessary elements or steps and may also include additional elements or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the system, apparatus, or method. It should also be understood that any apparatus, system, or method described in this disclosure as "comprising" one or more specified elements or steps or "substantially composed of" one or more specified elements or steps is also described as "composed of" specified elements or steps, excluding any other unspecified elements or steps, and is a correspondingly more limited and closed apparatus, system, or method. In any apparatus, system, or method disclosed in this specification, a known or disclosed equivalent of any specified necessary element or step may replace that element or step.

[0079] As used in this disclosure, “drill hole” or “wellbore” in relation to the features of the claims refers to the open hole or uncased portion of a well.

[0080] As used in this disclosure, “salvage” or “salvage operation” in relation to the features of the claims means the application of tools, equipment and techniques to remove waste, debris or attempt to retrieve objects left in the wellbore.

[0081] As used in this disclosure, “a” or “an” in relation to a claim feature means “one or more” or “at least one”.

[0082] As used in this disclosure, the term “substantially” refers to a qualitative condition that shows all or nearly all of the scope or degree of the characteristic or property of interest.

[0083] equivalent

[0084] It should be understood that although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the claims.

[0085] This specification uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any device or system and performing any included methods. The patentable scope of the embodiments of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that would occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A laser tool apparatus, comprising: Tool body; An optical fiber cable is disposed in the tool body, the optical fiber cable including a laser head configured to emit a laser beam and inserted into a borehole; A shaping optics device is coaxially disposed downstream of the optical fiber cable. This shaping optics device shapes the laser beam emitted from the laser head to obtain a shaped laser beam. as well as A flexible cable attached to the shaping optics, the flexible cable comprising: An optical fiber configured to transmit the shaped laser beam to a target location, and A hinged arm, controlled hydraulically, mechanically, or electrically, allows the flexible cable to be configured to flexibly orient the shaped laser beam at a desired angle within the borehole, including parallel to the borehole wall along the edge of the borehole. The articulated arm includes a retrieval tool and is configured to wrap around an object via the retrieval tool and remove the object from the borehole. The shaping optics includes a cylindrical body and a conical top, wherein the conical top receives the laser beam from the optical fiber cable.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The shaped laser beam is configured to remove obstacles within the borehole, and wherein the shaped laser beam is configured to cut the object during the salvage operation.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the laser head and the shaping optics further includes an anti-reflective surface coating.

4. The device according to claim 1 further includes at least one of an optical camera and an acoustic camera.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further includes a nozzle for coaxial cleaning, the nozzle being attached to an end of the flexible cable, the nozzle including a nozzle tip that increases the cleaning flow and prevents debris from flowing back toward the flexible cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting system for holding the laser head and the shaping optics.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The installation system includes a rotary table integrated into the tool body, wherein the rotary table enables the flexible cable to rotate in a circular motion.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The mounting system includes a telescopic axial stage, wherein the telescopic axial stage adjusts the axial height of the shaping optics within the borehole.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further includes a beam splitter operatively coupled to the shaping optics, the beam splitter splitting the shaped laser beam from the shaping optics and transmitting the resulting plurality of shaped laser beams to a plurality of flexible cables coupled downstream of the beam splitter.

10. An optical fiber transmission system for drilling, comprising: Fiber optic tool body; A laser head that emits a laser beam; A shaping optics device coaxially disposed downstream of the laser head within the borehole; At least one flexible cable attached to the shaping optics; The at least one flexible cable includes: An optical fiber configured to transmit a laser beam to a target; outer layer; and An articulated arm, controlled hydraulically, mechanically, or electrically, and including salvage tools, and The control system is configured as follows: Orienting the at least one flexible cable in a desired direction within the borehole, including parallel to the borehole wall along the edge of the borehole, and The at least one flexible cable is used to wrap around the object via the salvage tool and remove the object from the borehole; The outer layer includes multiple mating links, each of which is inserted into an adjacent link and can rotate within the adjacent link.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The shaping optics are disposed downstream of the fiber optic tool body, and wherein the shaping optics and the fiber optic tool body are connected to the mounting system.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The fiber optic tool body includes a fiber optic cable, which includes the laser head to transmit the laser beam to the shaping optics.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The laser head operates at a power ranging from 1kW to 10kW.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The shaping optics includes a cylindrical body and a conical top, wherein the conical top receives the laser beam from the optical fiber cable.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein, The shaping optical device further includes a lens assembly; and Clean the nozzle.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein, The lens group adjusts the size of the laser beam emitted from the laser head.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The outer layer is at least partially composed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material.

18. The system of claim 17 further includes at least one of an optical camera and an acoustic camera.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein, At least one of the laser head and the shaping optics further includes an anti-reflective surface coating.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein, The plurality of mating links form the hinge arm, which includes an internal shielding layer surrounding the optical fiber.

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