Sidetracking well windowing tool

Abstract

The invention discloses a sidetracking well windowing tool which is used for windowing on a casing pipe in a well and comprises a windowing piece, a whipstock, an expansion pipe and an expansion body, the windowing end of the windowing piece is separably connected with the first end of the whipstock, the second end of the whipstock is connected with the first end of the expansion pipe, the expansion body is arranged in the expansion pipe, and the expansion body is connected with the first end of the whipstock. The expansion body is in sliding and sealing fit with the inner circumferential surface of the expansion pipe; a first channel is formed in the windowing part, a second channel is formed in the whipstock, the first channel can be communicated with an inner cavity of the expansion pipe through the second channel so as to introduce driving liquid into the inner cavity of the expansion pipe, and the expansion body slides along the inner surface of the expansion pipe under the action of the driving liquid; and the expansion pipe is deformed until the outer peripheral surface of the expansion pipe and the inner surface of the sleeve are attached, fixed and hermetically matched. According to the scheme, the problem that in the related technology, the construction period of sidetracking well windowing operation is long can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drilling technology, and more particularly to a side-drilling window opening tool. Background Technology

[0002] Sidetracking technology for old wells fully utilizes the casing of old wells, creating a window at a specific depth within the casing before drilling a new wellbore. It is a low-investment, quick-return, and economically beneficial technology for developing old oilfields. It can improve reserve utilization and recovery rates while significantly reducing development costs, making it an important means of tapping the potential of old oilfields.

[0003] Currently, commonly used sidetracking techniques for older wells utilize sidetracking window-opening tools to perform casing window opening operations. The main operational procedures for sidetracking window-opening tools include anchoring and window opening. Sidetracking window-opening tools can include a guide vane and a window-opening component. In practice, the guide vane is first lowered to the predetermined window-opening position using the drilling tool. Then, the guide vane is anchored to the inner surface of the casing to set it securely within the casing. After the guide vane is firmly set, the drill string is rotated to disconnect the connection between the drilling tool and the guide vane, at which point the drilling tool can be retrieved. The next pass then sends in the window-opening component, which engages with the inclined surface of the guide vane to reach the window-opening area of ​​the casing, where the window is then opened.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned window opening operation of the casing requires the use of two separate tools, namely the guide and the window opening component. During construction, two drilling runs are required to complete the window opening operation, resulting in a long construction period and affecting the timeliness of the window opening construction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention discloses a side-drilling window opening tool to solve the problem of long construction cycle in side-drilling window opening operations involved in related technologies.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention discloses the following technical solution: a side-drilling window-opening tool for opening windows on the casing inside the well, comprising a window-opening component, a guide vane, an expansion tube, and an expansion body, wherein:

[0007] The opening end of the window opening component is detachably connected to the first end of the guide, the second end of the guide is connected to the first end of the expansion tube, the expansion body is disposed inside the expansion tube, and the expansion body slides and seals against the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube.

[0008] The window opening component has a first channel inside, and the guide device has a second channel inside. The first channel can be connected to the inner cavity of the expansion tube through the second channel to introduce driving fluid into the inner cavity of the expansion tube. Under the action of the driving fluid, the expansion body slides along the inner surface of the expansion tube so that the expansion tube deforms until the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube fits and is fixed and sealed with the inner surface of the sleeve.

[0009] Optionally, the side-drilling window opening tool further includes an annular seal, which is sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube, and the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube can be sealed with the inner surface of the casing through the annular seal.

[0010] Optionally, the number of the annular seals is at least two, and the annular seals are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the expansion tube.

[0011] Optionally, the annular seal is provided with at least two sets, including a first sealing component and a second sealing component. The first sealing component is provided at the first end of the expansion tube, and the second sealing component is provided at the second end of the expansion tube. Both the first sealing component and the second sealing component include at least two annular seals evenly arranged along the axial direction of the expansion tube.

[0012] Optionally, the side-drilling window opening tool further includes a central tube, which is disposed inside the expansion tube, and the axis of the central tube coincides with the axis of the expansion tube, and the expansion body is slidably sleeved on the central tube.

[0013] Optionally, the first end of the central tube is connected to the second end of the guide, and the second end of the central tube is a free end;

[0014] When the expansion body slides to the lower limit position, a flow gap is formed between the expansion body and the central tube, and the liquid cavity formed by the expansion body, the expansion tube and the guide is connected to the inner cavity of the central tube through the flow gap.

[0015] Optionally, the expansion body is provided with a fitting hole, and the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole is sealed to the central tube by a sealing ring;

[0016] When the expansion body slides to the lower limit position, the sealing ring separates from the free end of the central tube to form the flow gap, and the free end of the central tube is located in the fitting hole.

[0017] Optionally, the guide is provided with a third channel, one end of which is connected to the inner cavity of the central tube, and the other end of which extends to the outer peripheral surface of the guide.

[0018] Optionally, the outer peripheral surface of the expansion body includes a connected cylindrical surface and a conical surface. The cylindrical surface is located between the conical surface and the second end of the guide. The cylindrical surface is sealed to the inner peripheral surface of the expansion tube. In the direction in which the cylindrical surface extends to the conical surface, the cross-sectional dimension of the conical surface gradually decreases.

[0019] Optionally, the expansion body includes a sealing part and an expansion part, one of the sealing part and the expansion part is provided with a connecting protrusion, and the other is provided with a connecting groove, wherein the connecting protrusion and the connecting groove are threadedly engaged;

[0020] The outer peripheral surface of the sealing part is a first columnar surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the expansion part includes a second columnar surface and the conical surface. The second columnar surface is located between the first columnar surface and the conical surface, and the columnar surface includes the first columnar surface and the second columnar surface.

[0021] The technical solutions disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention have the following technical effects:

[0022] The side-drilling window-opening tool disclosed in this invention has a window-opening end that is detachably connected to the first end of the guide tool. When a window needs to be opened on the casing, the window-opening component and the guide tool can be simultaneously lowered into the well. Driving fluid is then injected into the expansion tube, which acts on the expansion body to push it to slide along the inner surface of the expansion tube, thereby expanding the expansion tube. This causes the expansion tube to deform, allowing its outer circumference to adhere and seal against the inner surface of the casing, achieving anchoring. The drill string can then be rotated to apply torque to the window-opening component, causing it to tend to rotate relative to the guide tool. However, since the guide tool cannot rotate, the connection between the window-opening component and the guide tool will fail, causing them to separate. The guide tool no longer restricts the movement of the window-opening component, allowing the drill string to move it. Simultaneously, guided by the inclined surface of the guide tool, the window-opening component reaches the window-opening position on the casing, thus performing the window-opening operation. Therefore, it can be seen that when this side drilling window opening tool is used, the window opening component and the guide vane can be simultaneously lowered into the well in a single drilling operation. Compared with the method that requires two drilling runs in related technologies, this can reduce the number of drilling runs and thus shorten the construction cycle.

[0023] In addition, the expansion tube can both fix the guide pipe and the casing and seal the casing and the guide pipe. Moreover, the fixing and sealing are achieved simultaneously. Therefore, this side drilling window tool can further shorten the construction cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are all schematic diagrams of the side-drilling window opening tool disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the side-drilling window opening tool disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the expansion body disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The components in the diagram are labeled as follows:

[0028] 10-Window opening component, 11-Window opening end, 12-Connecting end, 13-First channel, 20-Guide, 21-Inclined surface, 22-Second channel, 23-Third channel, 30-Expansion tube, 40-Expansion body, 41-Columnar surface, 411-First columnar surface, 412-Second columnar surface, 42-Conical surface, 43-Sealing part, 431-Groove, 44-Expansion part, 45-Supply hole, 46-Connecting protrusion, 50-Connecting component, 60-Annular seal, 60a-First sealing assembly, 60b-Second sealing assembly, 70-Central tube, 71-Free end, 80-Guiding shoe. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0030] The technical solutions disclosed in the various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 This invention discloses a side-drilling window opening tool, which is used to open a window on the casing inside the well. Specifically, the casing can be the casing in an old well. By opening a window on the side wall of the casing, a through hole is formed on the side wall of the casing. The drilling tool can then perform drilling operations through the through hole, ultimately forming a new wellbore, thereby realizing the further development of the old well.

[0032] The aforementioned side-drilling window opening tool may include a window opening component 10, a guide 20, an expansion tube 30, and an expansion body 40.

[0033] The function of the window opening component 10 is to perform window opening operations on the side wall of the casing. Optionally, the window opening component 10 can be a milling cone, which can open windows by milling. The window opening component 10 has an opening end 11 and a connecting end 12. The opening end 11 is used to contact the casing to perform the window opening operation, and the connecting end 12 is used to connect to the drill string, so that the drill string can drive the window opening component 10 into the well.

[0034] The opening end 11 of the window opener 10 is detachably connected to the first end of the guide vane 20. In other words, the connection between the window opener 10 and the guide vane 20 ensures that the window opener 10 drives the guide vane 20 into the well together. Simultaneously, when both the window opener 10 and the guide vane 20 are in the well, the drill string can apply a force to the window opener 10 to break the connection between them, thus allowing them to separate. The guide vane 20 has an inclined surface 21. When the window opener 10 and the guide vane 20 separate, the window opener 10 can move downwards along the inclined surface 21. Under the guidance of the inclined surface 21, the axis of the window opener 10 is inclined relative to the axis of the casing, thereby allowing the opening end 11 of the window opener 10 to reach the opening portion of the casing sidewall.

[0035] Optionally, the window opening element 10 and the guide 20 can be detachably connected by a connector 50, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the guide 20. In this case, the opening end 11 of the window opening element 10 can overlap and contact the top of the inclined surface 21 of the guide 20, so that the window opening element 10 can move downward along the inclined surface 21 after separating from the guide 20. Further optionally, the connector 50 can be a component with a connecting function, such as a pin. When the drill bit drives the window opening element 10 to rotate, the window opening element 10 applies a shearing force to the connector 50. When the shearing force exceeds the bearing capacity of the connector 50, the connector 50 breaks, thereby separating the window opening element 10 and the guide 20.

[0036] The first end of the expansion tube 30 is connected to the second end of the guide vane 20. The axis of the expansion tube 30 and the axis of the guide vane 20 can coincide. When the entire side-drilling window tool is lowered into the well, the guide vane 20 can be positioned above the expansion tube 30. Optionally, the first end of the expansion tube 30 can be sleeved over the second end of the guide vane 20, and the two can be threaded together. Furthermore, the first end of the expansion tube 30 and the second end of the guide vane 20 can be fixed together with fasteners such as screws, thereby improving the reliability of the connection between the two. A guide shoe 80 can be provided at the second end of the expansion tube 30 to seal the second end of the expansion tube 30 and prevent liquids or other substances inside the expansion tube 30 from flowing out from the second end of the expansion tube 30.

[0037] The expansion tube 30 can deform under stress, thus achieving an expansion effect. The force on the expansion tube 30 can come from the expansion body 40, which is disposed inside the expansion tube 30 and slides and seals against the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30. Specifically, when the expansion tube 30 is not deformed, the expansion body 40 is located at one end of the expansion tube 30. At this time, the outer circumferential surface of the expansion body 40 is in contact with a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30, while the cross-sectional area of ​​the remaining part of the expansion tube 30 is smaller than the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion body 40. That is to say, the part of the expansion tube 30 that is not in contact with the expansion body 40 is thinner than the part of the expansion tube 30 that is in contact with the expansion body 40. This allows a gap to be formed between most of the expansion tube 30 and the casing, facilitating the insertion of side-drilling window tools into the well. When the expansion body 40 slides relative to the expansion tube 30, because the expansion body 40 is thicker than the remaining part of the expansion tube 30, it can forcibly expand the expansion tube 30, thus causing the expansion tube 30 to deform.

[0038] The window opening component 10 has a first channel 13 inside, and the guide vane 20 has a second channel 22 inside. The first channel 13 can be connected to the inner cavity of the expansion tube 30 through the second channel 22 to introduce driving fluid into the inner cavity of the expansion tube 30. This driving fluid can be drilling fluid or an additional liquid that can generate hydraulic driving force. It should be noted that the inner cavity of the expansion tube 30 here refers to the cavity formed by the guide vane 20, the expansion tube 30, and the expansion body 40. This cavity can be located above the expansion body 40, and the driving fluid inside can apply downward pressure to the expansion body 40. Under the action of the driving fluid, the expansion body 40 slides along the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30, so that the expansion tube 30 deforms until its outer circumferential surface fits and seals against the inner surface of the casing, thereby preventing water leakage and other problems at the construction site.

[0039] Optionally, the side-drilling window opening tool may also include a driving fluid inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the drill string, and the other end passes through the first channel 13 and the second channel 22 in sequence and extends into the inner cavity of the expansion tube 30. The driving fluid can enter the inner cavity of the expansion tube 30 through the driving fluid inlet pipe.

[0040] The side-drilling window opening tool disclosed in this embodiment of the invention has a window opening end 11 of the window opening component 10 that is detachably connected to the first end of the guide 20. When it is necessary to open a window on the casing, the window opening component 10 and the guide 20 can be simultaneously lowered into the well. Then, driving fluid is injected into the expansion tube 30. The driving fluid acts on the expansion body 40 to push the expansion body 40 to slide along the inner surface of the expansion tube 30, thereby expanding the expansion tube 30. That is, the expansion tube 30 will deform so that the outer peripheral surface of the expansion tube 30 fits and is fixed to the inner surface of the casing, thereby achieving the purpose of anchoring. The drill string can then be rotated to apply torque to the window opening component 10. The window opening component 10 will then tend to rotate relative to the guide vane 20. However, since the guide vane 20 cannot rotate, the connection between the window opening component 10 and the guide vane 20 will fail, causing them to separate. The guide vane 20 no longer restricts the movement of the window opening component 10, at which point the drill string can move the window opening component 10. Simultaneously, guided by the inclined surface 21 of the guide vane 20, the window opening component 10 reaches the window opening position on the casing, thus performing the window opening operation. Therefore, this side-drilling window opening tool allows the window opening component 10 and the guide vane 20 to be simultaneously lowered into the well in a single drilling operation. Compared to related technologies that require two drilling runs, this reduces the number of drilling runs and shortens the construction cycle.

[0041] Furthermore, the expansion tube 30 can both fix the guide pipe 20 to the casing and seal the casing to the guide pipe 20, and these fixing and sealing are achieved simultaneously. Therefore, the construction cycle of this side-drilling window opening tool is further shortened. Moreover, the expansion tube 30 has a large contact area with the casing, resulting in higher anchoring reliability of the guide pipe 20 and reducing the likelihood of accidental fall after anchoring, thus ensuring the safety of the side-drilling window opening tool.

[0042] In the above embodiments, when the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30 is in contact with the casing, a large pressure is generated between them. Therefore, the sealing fit between the expansion tube 30 and the casing can be achieved solely through the deformation of the expansion tube 30. In other optional embodiments, the side-drilling window opening tool also includes an annular seal 60, which is sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30. The outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30 can be sealed with the inner surface of the casing through the annular seal 60. Compared with the expansion tube 30, the annular seal 60 has a better sealing effect. Therefore, with the addition of the annular seal 60, the seal between the expansion tube 30 and the casing is more reliable. At the same time, since the annular seal 60 is made of an elastic material, it can deform along with the expansion tube 30 during its expansion and deformation, thus not restricting the expansion of the expansion tube 30. Moreover, under the combined action of the annular seal 60 and the expansion tube 30, the anchoring reliability of the guide vane 20 is higher.

[0043] Of course, the aforementioned annular seal 60 can also be replaced with a block seal, in which case local sealing can be applied to the expansion tube 30 and the sleeve.

[0044] The number of annular seals 60 can be flexibly selected. For example, only one annular seal 60 can be provided, in which case the length of the annular seal 60 can be greater than, less than, or equal to the length of the expansion tube 30. Alternatively, at least two annular seals 60 can be provided, with each annular seal 60 spaced apart along the axial direction of the expansion tube 30. When multiple annular seals 60 are used, sealing can be achieved at multiple locations on both the expansion tube 30 and the sleeve. Furthermore, there is essentially no interaction force between the individual annular seals 60, and each annular seal 60 is more easily deformed. This not only facilitates a tight fit between the annular seal 60 and the expansion tube 30 and the sleeve to improve the sealing effect, but also makes the annular seal 60 more easily deformable during the expansion of the expansion tube 30, thereby reducing the likelihood that the annular seal 60 will restrict the expansion process of the expansion tube 30.

[0045] When the number of annular seals 60 is at least two, the specific number and arrangement of the annular seals 60 can be flexibly selected. For example, the annular seals 60 can be evenly arranged, and this embodiment of the invention does not limit this. In an optional embodiment, the annular seals 60 are provided in at least two sets, including a first sealing component 60a and a second sealing component 60b. The first sealing component 60a is provided at the first end of the expansion tube 30, and the second sealing component 60b is provided at the second end of the expansion tube 30. Both the first sealing component 60a and the second sealing component 60b include at least two annular seals 60 evenly arranged along the axial direction of the expansion tube 30. This embodiment provides the first sealing component 60a and the second sealing component 60b for the sealing between the two ends of the expansion tube 30 and the sleeve. This can improve the sealing effect on the one hand, and prevent the force on the expansion tube 30 from being concentrated at one end and causing uneven force distribution on the other hand. Therefore, the stability of the expansion tube 30 will be improved.

[0046] Furthermore, only the first sealing component 60a and the second sealing component 60b can be provided. In other words, only the annular seals 60 are provided at both ends of the expansion tube 30, and the annular seals 60 can be omitted in the middle of the expansion tube 30. This can appropriately reduce the number of annular seals 60, thereby reducing the cost of the side drilling window opening tool.

[0047] Optionally, the annular seal 60 can be made of an elastic material such as rubber to improve its sealing effect; the expansion tube 30 can be made of metal to increase its structural strength. Furthermore, a receiving groove can be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30, with a portion of the annular seal 60 located within this groove, facilitating installation of the annular seal 60 and limiting its displacement. When there are at least two annular seals 60, at least two receiving grooves can also be provided, with each groove corresponding to one of the annular seals 60.

[0048] In a further optional embodiment, the side-drilling window-opening tool also includes a central tube 70, which is disposed inside the expansion tube 30, with the axis of the central tube 70 coinciding with the axis of the expansion tube 30. The expansion body 40 is slidably sleeved on the central tube 70. When the expansion body 40 slides relative to the expansion tube 30 under the action of the driving fluid, both the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30 and the outer circumferential surface of the central tube 70 can guide the sliding of the expansion body 40, thereby allowing the expansion body 40 to slide smoothly and steadily.

[0049] During operation, the driving fluid entering the expansion tube 30 needs to be recirculated. Specifically, after the driving fluid drives the expansion body 40 to slide to the lower limit position, the driving fluid can flow out of the expansion tube 30. To achieve this, a flow channel can be opened on the wall of the expansion tube 30 to allow the driving fluid to flow out. However, considering that the wall of the expansion tube 30 is relatively thin, opening a flow channel is difficult and could easily weaken the structural strength of the expansion tube 30. In a further embodiment, the driving fluid can be discharged through the inner cavity of the central tube 70. Of course, if the driving fluid is not discharged through the inner cavity of the central tube 70, the central tube 70 can be replaced with a central rod, which is a solid structure with higher structural strength.

[0050] To install the central tube 70 into the expansion tube 30, the first end of the central tube 70 can be connected to the second end of the guide 20. To utilize the inner cavity of the central tube 70 to discharge the driving fluid, the second end of the central tube 70 can be set as a free end 71, which is an open structure and not blocked by other structures. When the expansion body 40 slides to the lower limit position, a flow gap is formed between the expansion body 40 and the central tube 70. The liquid cavity formed by the expansion body 40, the expansion tube 30, and the guide 20 is connected to the inner cavity of the central tube 70 through the flow gap. In other words, when the expansion body 40 slides to the target position, the driving fluid is no longer needed to drive the expansion body 40 to slide. At this time, the driving fluid in the aforementioned liquid cavity can flow into the inner cavity of the central tube 70 through the flow gap, and the inner cavity of the central tube 70 can communicate with the inner cavity of the sleeve, thereby discharging the driving fluid. Thus, the central tube 70 not only provides guidance for the sliding of the expansion body 40, but also facilitates the discharge of the driving fluid.

[0051] In embodiments of the present invention, the expansion body 40 is equivalent to a piston. To improve the efficiency of the expansion body 40 sliding driven by the driving fluid, the expansion body 40 can be sealed with the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30. Furthermore, when the side-drilling window opening tool also includes a central tube 70, the expansion body 40 is provided with a fitting hole 45. The inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole 45 is sealed with the central tube 70 through a sealing ring (not shown in the figure). At this time, the sealing degree of the liquid cavity formed by the expansion body 40, the expansion tube 30, and the guide vane 20 is higher, which is more conducive to the sliding of the expansion body 40 driven by the driving fluid.

[0052] Furthermore, when the expander 40 slides to the lower limit position, the sealing ring separates from the free end 71 of the central tube 70 to form a flow gap, and the free end 71 of the central tube 70 is located within the fitting hole 45. In this embodiment, there may be a first gap between the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole 45 of the expander 40 and the outer circumferential surface of the central tube 70. When the sealing ring engages with the outer circumferential surface of the central tube 70, the sealing ring can meet the sealing requirements. When the sealing ring separates from the free end 71 of the central tube 70, a second gap is formed between the sealing ring and the central tube 70. At this time, the flow gap may include the first gap and the second gap, that is, the driving fluid enters the inner cavity of the central tube 70 after passing through the first gap and the second gap in sequence. At the same time, since the free end 71 of the central tube 70 is still located within the fitting hole 45 when the expander 40 slides to the lower limit position, the central tube 70 and the expander 40 are still in a mating state, which can prevent the expander 40 from shifting and facilitate the reset of the expander 40.

[0053] Of course, in other embodiments, the expansion body 40 and the sealing ring can be separated from the central tube 70 at the same time, so that the driving fluid enters the inner cavity of the central tube 70.

[0054] Optionally, the driving fluid in the inner cavity of the expansion tube 30 can be discharged through a through hole at the second end of the expansion tube 30, or a connecting pipe can be provided between the first end of the expansion tube 30 and the central tube 70, so that the driving fluid in the central tube 70 can be discharged through the connecting pipe and the through hole at the first end of the expansion tube 30. In other optional embodiments, the guide vane 20 is provided with a third channel 23, one end of which is connected to the inner cavity of the central tube 70, and the other end of which extends to the outer peripheral surface of the guide vane 20. Compared with the method of opening a hole in the expansion tube 30, since the structural strength of the guide vane 20 is higher, the setting of the third channel 23 has little impact on the strength of the guide vane 20; compared with the method of adding a connecting pipe, this embodiment can discharge the driving fluid using the guide vane 20 without the need for additional components, thus simplifying the structure of the side-drilling window opening tool.

[0055] The expansion body 40 can have a columnar structure; in other words, the outer peripheral surface of the expansion body 40 is entirely a columnar surface 41 of uniform size. In another embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the expansion body 40 includes a connected columnar surface 41 and a conical surface 42. The columnar surface 41 is located between the conical surface 42 and the second end of the guide 20. The columnar surface 41 is sealed to the inner peripheral surface of the expansion tube 30. In the direction extending from the columnar surface 41 to the conical surface 42, the cross-sectional size of the conical surface 42 gradually decreases. At this point, the portion of the expansion body 40 away from the guide 20 is a conical structure. During the process of the expansion body 40 sliding relative to the expansion tube 30 and causing the expansion tube 30 to expand and deform, this conical structure can facilitate a transition in the deformation of the expansion tube 30. In other words, there is a transition section between the thicker portion of the expansion tube 30 that has already expanded and the thinner portion that has not yet deformed. This transition section is conical. This design prevents the expansion body 40 from being too sharp and scratching or even breaking the expansion tube 30, while also reducing the resistance during the sliding of the expansion body 40. Ultimately, this allows the expansion tube 30 to deform smoothly and efficiently. Furthermore, the cylindrical surface 41 is a surface of uniform size, which facilitates a sealing fit between the cylindrical surface 41 and the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube 30.

[0056] The aforementioned expansion body 40 can be a one-piece structure; alternatively, the expansion body 40 includes a sealing part 43 and an expansion part 44, one of which has a connecting protrusion 46 and the other has a connecting groove. The connecting protrusion 46 is located within the connecting groove, and the connecting protrusion 46 and the connecting groove are threadedly engaged. The outer peripheral surface of the sealing part 43 is a first columnar surface 411, and the outer peripheral surface of the expansion part 44 includes a second columnar surface 412 and a conical surface 42. The second columnar surface 412 is located between the first columnar surface 411 and the conical surface 42. The columnar surface 41 includes the first columnar surface 411 and the second columnar surface 412. In the latter embodiment, the expansion body 40 includes a separately disposed sealing part 43 and an expansion part 44. In this case, the sealing and expansion functions of the expansion body 40 are independent of each other, and the manufacturing materials of the sealing part 43 and the expansion part 44 can be selected specifically according to their functions to improve the sealing and expansion effects. For example, the sealing part 43 can be made of a softer material, making it easier to deform under stress and thus generate a greater reaction force to improve the sealing effect; while the expansion part 44 can be made of a harder material, thus applying a greater force to the expansion tube 30, making the expansion tube 30 easier to expand and deform. In addition, the sealing part 43 and the expansion part 44 are detachably connected by a threaded connection, which is more conducive to the processing and maintenance of the expansion body 40, thereby reducing the maintenance cost of the side-drilling window opening tool.

[0057] Of course, the sealing part 43 and the expansion part 44 can also be detachably connected by means of snap-fit, threaded fastener connection, etc., and the embodiments of the present invention do not limit this. In addition, one or more grooves 431 can be provided on both the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the sealing part 43, and the grooves 431 can be used to install the sealing ring.

[0058] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A side-drilling window-opening tool for opening windows in the casing inside a well, characterized in that, It includes a window opening component (10), a guide (20), an expansion tube (30), and an expansion body (40), wherein: The window opening end (11) of the window opening component (10) is detachably connected to the first end of the guide (20), the second end of the guide (20) is connected to the first end of the expansion tube (30), the expansion body (40) is disposed inside the expansion tube (30), and the expansion body (40) slides and seals against the inner circumferential surface of the expansion tube (30); The window opening component (10) has a first channel (13) inside, and the guide (20) has a second channel (22) inside. The first channel (13) can be connected to the inner cavity of the expansion tube (30) through the second channel (22) to introduce driving fluid into the inner cavity of the expansion tube (30). Under the action of the driving fluid, the expansion body (40) slides along the inner surface of the expansion tube (30) so that the expansion tube (30) deforms until the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube (30) fits and is fixed to the inner surface of the sleeve and is sealed.

2. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side-drilling window opening tool also includes an annular seal (60), which is sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube (30). The outer circumferential surface of the expansion tube (30) can be sealed with the inner surface of the casing through the annular seal (60).

3. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of the annular seals (60) is at least two, and each of the annular seals (60) is arranged at an axial interval along the expansion tube (30).

4. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, The annular seal (60) is provided with at least two sets, including a first sealing component (60a) and a second sealing component (60b). The first sealing component (60a) is provided at the first end of the expansion tube (30), and the second sealing component (60b) is provided at the second end of the expansion tube (30). Both the first sealing component (60a) and the second sealing component (60b) include at least two annular seals (60) evenly arranged along the axial direction of the expansion tube (30).

5. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side-drilling window opening tool also includes a central tube (70), which is disposed inside the expansion tube (30), and the axis of the central tube (70) coincides with the axis of the expansion tube (30). The expansion body (40) is slidably sleeved on the central tube (70).

6. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first end of the central tube (70) is connected to the second end of the guide (20), and the second end of the central tube (70) is a free end (71); When the expansion body (40) slides to the lower limit position, a flow gap is formed between the expansion body (40) and the central tube (70), and the liquid cavity formed by the expansion body (40), the expansion tube (30) and the guide (20) is connected to the inner cavity of the central tube (70) through the flow gap.

7. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, The expansion body (40) is provided with a fitting hole (45), and the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole (45) is sealed to the central tube (70) by a sealing ring; When the expansion body (40) slides to the lower limit position, the sealing ring separates from the free end (71) of the central tube (70) to form the flow gap, and the free end (71) of the central tube (70) is located in the fitting hole (45).

8. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, The guide (20) is provided with a third channel (23), one end of which is connected to the inner cavity of the central tube (70), and the other end of which extends to the outer circumferential surface of the guide (20).

9. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of the expansion body (40) includes a connected cylindrical surface (41) and a conical surface (42). The cylindrical surface (41) is located between the conical surface (42) and the second end of the guide (20). The cylindrical surface (41) is sealed to the inner peripheral surface of the expansion tube (30). In the direction from the cylindrical surface (41) to the conical surface (42), the cross-sectional dimension of the conical surface (42) gradually decreases.

10. The side-drilling window-opening tool according to claim 9, characterized in that, The expansion body (40) includes a sealing part (43) and an expansion part (44). One of the sealing part (43) and the expansion part (44) is provided with a connecting protrusion (46), and the other is provided with a connecting groove. The connecting protrusion (46) and the connecting groove are threadedly engaged. The outer peripheral surface of the sealing part (43) is a first columnar surface (411), and the outer peripheral surface of the expansion part (44) includes a second columnar surface (412) and the conical surface (42). The second columnar surface (412) is located between the first columnar surface (411) and the conical surface (42). The columnar surface (41) includes the first columnar surface (411) and the second columnar surface (412).

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