A cleanup tool for a wellbore
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510419212.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-16
AI Technical Summary
对于一些存在变形区段的井筒,由于钻扫解堵作业的工具尺寸较大,难以对变形区段及以下的堵塞物进行清除
[0016]The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention provides a wellbore unblocking tool, comprising a housing, a drive assembly installed within the housing, and an unblocking component connected to the drive assembly. The lower end of the housing is provided with a limiting portion. The unblocking component includes a handle connected to the drive assembly, a connecting rod hinged to the handle, and a cutting head disposed at the end of the connecting rod for clearing blockages. The connecting rod is configured to be confined within the limiting portion, allowing the connecting rod and the cutting head to retract into the housing when the drive assembly drives the handle upwards. This effectively reduces the circumferential dimensions of the unblocking tool and significantly improves its ability to pass through deformable sections of the wellbore. Therefore, the unblocking tool can be lowered to any depth within the wellbore. Furthermore, since the unblocking tool is electrically connected to an external power source via a cable, the energy supply to the tool can be effectively guaranteed, enabling long-term unblocking operations.
Smart Images

Figure CN122919337A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of well cleaning technology, and more specifically to a tool for unclogging wells. Background Technology
[0002] During oil and gas production, flowback formation water, rock cuttings, fracturing proppant, undissolved polymers, and iron filings from corrosion-induced detachment from the casing mix to form blockages that adhere to the wellbore wall, preventing normal oil and gas production. Therefore, it is necessary to select appropriate methods for unblocking operations to ensure the wellbore remains open and normal production can resume.
[0003] Existing unblocking methods include chemical unblocking and drilling unblocking. Chemical unblocking involves injecting a chemical unblocking agent into the wellbore at the wellhead to dissolve and disperse the cemented blockage on the wellbore wall, thereby clearing the wellbore. However, chemical unblocking requires an injection channel for the unblocking agent within the wellbore, making it unsuitable for completely blocked wellbores. Drilling unblocking involves inserting mechanical tools, such as drilling shoes, into the wellbore through coiled tubing to drill and clear the blockage. Drilling unblocking requires not only large equipment such as coiled tubing units and pump trucks but also a suitable site. Therefore, drilling unblocking operations are costly. For wellbores with deformed sections, the large size of the drilling unblocking tools makes it difficult to remove blockages from the deformed sections and below. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a tool for unblocking wells, which can perform unblocking operations on wells with deformed sections.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: to provide a wellbore unblocking tool, including a housing, a drive assembly installed in the housing, and an unblocking assembly connected to the drive assembly. The unblocking assembly includes a cutter handle connected to the drive assembly, a connecting rod hinged to the cutter handle, and a cutter head disposed at the end of the connecting rod.
[0006] The lower end of the housing is provided with a limiting part, and the connecting rod is configured to cooperate with the limiting part, so that when the driving component drives the handle to move upward, the connecting rod and the cutting head can be retracted into the housing, and when the driving component drives the handle to move downward, the connecting rod and the cutting head can extend out of the housing and unfold to clear blockages.
[0007] Furthermore, an elastic element is provided between the connecting rod and the handle, the elastic element being configured such that when the handle moves downward, the connecting rod and the blade tip can extend out of the housing and unfold at a certain angle.
[0008] Furthermore, multiple connecting rods are provided, and the elastic force of the elastic element between the multiple connecting rods and the handle is different, so that the angles of the multiple connecting rods relative to the housing are different when they extend out of the housing.
[0009] Furthermore, the elastic element is a torsion spring or a sheet spring.
[0010] Furthermore, the cutter head includes a transducer mounted at the end of the connecting rod and a vibrating element disposed on the transducer, the transducer being configured to cause the vibrating element to generate high-frequency vibration.
[0011] Furthermore, the tool holder is equipped with a controller that electrically connects the transducer and an external power source, the controller being configured to connect or disconnect the electrical connection between the transducer and the external power source.
[0012] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes a motor installed within the housing, and the output end of the motor is provided with a transmission structure, which is configured to enable the tool holder to move axially under the drive of the motor.
[0013] Furthermore, the transmission structure is a screw connected to the output end of the motor, and the screw is screwed to the tool holder, so that the tool holder can move axially.
[0014] Furthermore, the input end of the motor is connected to a cable extending toward the wellhead, and the cable contains a high-voltage wire for electrically connecting an external power source and the motor.
[0015] Furthermore, the cable also includes a low-voltage wire for signal transmission, which electrically connects the motor to the control system on the ground.
[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention provides a wellbore unblocking tool, comprising a housing, a drive assembly installed within the housing, and an unblocking component connected to the drive assembly. The lower end of the housing is provided with a limiting portion. The unblocking component includes a handle connected to the drive assembly, a connecting rod hinged to the handle, and a cutting head disposed at the end of the connecting rod for clearing blockages. The connecting rod is configured to be confined within the limiting portion, allowing the connecting rod and the cutting head to retract into the housing when the drive assembly drives the handle upwards. This effectively reduces the circumferential dimensions of the unblocking tool and significantly improves its ability to pass through deformable sections of the wellbore. Therefore, the unblocking tool can be lowered to any depth within the wellbore. Furthermore, since the unblocking tool is electrically connected to an external power source via a cable, the energy supply to the tool can be effectively guaranteed, enabling long-term unblocking operations. Attached Figure Description
[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0018] Figure 1 The diagram shows a structural schematic of a wellbore unblocking tool.
[0019] In the figure, the following labels are used: 100, unblocking tool; 10, housing; 11, limiting part;
[0020] 20. Drive assembly; 21. Motor; 22. Cable; 23. Transmission structure; 231. Screw;
[0021] 30. Unblocking component; 31. Tool holder; 311. Pin; 32. Controller; 33. Connecting rod; 34. Tool head; 341. Transducer; 342. Vibrating component;
[0022] 200. Well shaft; 300. Blockage. Detailed Implementation
[0023] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This drawing is a simplified schematic diagram, illustrating only the basic structure of the invention, and therefore only shows the components relevant to the invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.
[0024] refer to Figure 1As shown, the present invention provides a deblocking tool 100 for a wellbore 200, comprising a housing 10, a drive assembly 20 installed within the housing 10, and a deblocking component 30 installed within the housing 10 and connected to the drive assembly 20. Under the electrical drive of an external power source, the drive assembly 20 can extend the deblocking component 30 out of the housing 10 from its lower end. Under the electrical drive of an external power source, the deblocking component 30 can convert electrical energy into high-frequency vibration, thereby clearing the blockage 300 adhering to the inner wall of the wellbore 200.
[0025] Combination Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the drive assembly 20 may include a motor 21 mounted on the inner wall of the housing 10. The input end of the motor 21 is connected to a cable 22 extending outside the wellhead, and the output end of the motor 21 is connected to a transmission structure 23. The cable 22 integrates a high-voltage wire (not shown) connecting to an external power source and a low-voltage wire (not shown) connecting to a control system on the ground. The low-voltage wire is preferably a shielded wire to avoid interference with the signal transmitted between the control system and the motor 21. The motor 21 is preferably a servo motor 21 to improve control accuracy. In other embodiments, the cable 22 only contains a high-voltage wire. The signal between the control system and the motor 21 can be transmitted via wireless networks such as 4G or WiFi.
[0026] In some embodiments, the transmission structure 23 employs a screw mechanism. The transmission structure 23 includes a screw 231 coaxially connected to the output shaft of the motor 21. The unblocking component 30 is screwed onto the screw 231. In some embodiments, when the motor 21 receives a signal from the control system, the motor 21 drives the screw 231 to rotate under the electrical drive of an external power source, causing the unblocking component 30 to move axially on the screw 231, thereby causing the unblocking component 30 to extend from the lower end of the housing 10 or retract into the housing 10. In other embodiments, the transmission structure 23 may also employ a rack and pinion mechanism.
[0027] In some other embodiments not shown, the motor 21 can be replaced by a cylinder. The output end of the cylinder is directly connected to the unblocking component 30, while the input end of the cylinder is connected to an external air source via an air supply pipe integrated in the cable 22. In some embodiments, the extension or retraction of the cylinder's output shaft can be achieved by controlling the intake and exhaust of the external air source, thereby driving the unblocking component 30 to extend out of or retract into the housing 10 from its lower end.
[0028] Recombined Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, the unblocking assembly 30 includes a tool holder 31 screwed onto a screw 231, a controller 32 mounted on the tool holder 31, a connecting rod 33 mounted on the tool holder 31, and a tool head 34 mounted on the end of the connecting rod 33. The tool holder 31 can be directly screwed onto the screw 231, or it can be indirectly connected to the screw 231 through a nut mounted on the tool holder 31. The controller 32 is electrically connected to the tool head 34 via a wire. The controller 32 is also electrically connected to a low-voltage wire in the cable 22, and controls the operation of the tool head 34 according to the signals transmitted by the control system.
[0029] In some embodiments, the end of the connecting rod 33 away from the cutter head 34 is hinged to the cutter handle 31 via a pin 311, allowing the connecting rod 33 to rotate relative to the cutter handle 31. An elastic element (not shown) is also provided between the cutter handle 31 and the connecting rod 33; this elastic element can be a torsion spring or a sheet spring. Multiple connecting rods 33 are provided, and the elastic forces of the elastic elements between the multiple connecting rods 33 and the cutter handle 31 are different, resulting in different angles relative to the housing 10 when the multiple connecting rods 33 extend outside the housing 10. When the multiple connecting rods 33 extend outside the housing 10, the cutter head 34 at the end of the connecting rod 33 can reach the blockage 300 at different locations in the wellbore 200, thereby improving the unblocking efficiency and enhancing the unblocking effect.
[0030] In some specific embodiments, when the screw 231 drives the cutter handle 31 to move downward, the connecting rod 33 extends out of the housing 10 and unfolds under the action of the elastic element. At this time, the circumferential dimension of the unblocking tool 100 is at its maximum, facilitating the removal of the blockage 300 attached to the wellbore 200. When the screw 231 drives the cutter handle 31 to move upward, the connecting rod 33 retracts into the housing 10 under the action of the limiting part 11 and twists the elastic element, causing the elastic element to accumulate elastic potential energy. At this time, the circumferential dimension of the unblocking tool 100 is at its minimum, allowing the unblocking tool 100 to smoothly pass through the narrow deformation section of the wellbore 200.
[0031] In some embodiments, the cutter head 34 includes a transducer 341 mounted on a connecting rod 33 and a vibrating element 342 disposed on the transducer 341. The transducer 341 is electrically connected to a controller 32 via a wire for connecting or disconnecting an external power supply. The transducer 341 can convert electrical energy supplied by an external power supply into mechanical energy and drive the vibrating element 342 to vibrate at high frequency. After the high-frequency vibrating vibrating element 342 contacts the blockage 300 inside the wellbore 200, it vibrates and breaks up the blockage 300, thereby clearing the wellbore 200.
[0032] Combination Figure 1As shown, the usage process of the unblocking tool 100 for a wellbore 200 provided by the present invention is as follows. When a blockage 300 is generated inside the wellbore 200, the unblocking tool 100 is directly lowered into the wellbore 200 by gravity, or delivered into the wellbore 200 by a crawler or other equipment. During the lowering process of the unblocking tool 100, the unblocking assembly 30 is always housed inside the housing 10. At this time, the size of the unblocking tool 100 is at its smallest, and the unblocking tool 100 can easily pass through the narrow deformation section inside the wellbore 200. When the unblocking tool 100 moves to the blockage 300, the motor 21 drives the screw 231 to rotate under the electrical drive of the external power supply, and the screw 231 drives the cutter handle 31 to move downward. Under the restriction of the limiting part 11 on the housing 10, the connecting rod 33 rotates relative to the cutter handle 31 and extends out of the housing 10, so that the cutter head 34 at the end of the connecting rod 33 contacts the blockage 300. Under the control of the controller 32, the transducer 341 starts and converts the electrical energy supplied by the external power source into the mechanical energy of the vibrating element 342. The vibrating element 342 vibrates and breaks up the blockage 300 in the well shaft 200, thereby achieving the purpose of unblocking the well shaft 200.
[0033] The beneficial effects of the unblocking tool 100 for a wellbore 200 provided by the present invention are as follows: it includes a housing 10, a drive assembly 20 installed within the housing 10, and an unblocking assembly 30 connected to the drive assembly 20. The lower end of the housing 10 is provided with a limiting portion 23. The unblocking assembly 30 includes a handle 31 connected to the drive assembly 20, a connecting rod 33 hinged to the handle 31, and a cutting head 34 disposed at the end of the connecting rod 33 for clearing blockage 300. The connecting rod 33 is configured to be confined within the limiting portion 11, so that when the drive assembly 20 drives the handle 31 to move upward, the connecting rod 33 and the cutting head 34 can retract into the housing 10, effectively reducing the circumferential size of the unblocking tool 100 and significantly improving the ability of the unblocking tool 100 to pass through deformable sections of the wellbore 200. Therefore, the unblocking tool 100 can be lowered to any depth within the wellbore 200. In addition, since the unblocking tool 10 is electrically connected to an external power source via cable 22, the energy supply to the unblocking tool 100 can be effectively guaranteed, which can meet the needs of unblocking operations for a longer period of time.
[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.
[0035] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front and back", "left and right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.
[0036] The above description, based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention, provides guidance. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification but must be determined according to the claims.
Claims
1. A wellbore unblocking tool, comprising a housing (10), a drive assembly (20) mounted within the housing (10), and an unblocking assembly (30) connected to the drive assembly (20), the unblocking assembly (30) comprising a cutter shank (31) connected to the drive assembly (20), a connecting rod (33) hinged to the cutter shank (31), and a cutter head (34) disposed at the end of the connecting rod (33). in, The lower end of the housing (10) is provided with a limiting part (11), and the connecting rod (33) is configured to cooperate with the limiting part (11) so that when the driving assembly (20) drives the handle (31) to move upward, the connecting rod (33) and the blade (34) can be retracted into the housing (10), and when the driving assembly (20) drives the handle (31) to move downward, the connecting rod (33) and the blade (34) can extend out of the housing (10) and unfold to clear the blockage (300).
2. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, An elastic element is also provided between the connecting rod (33) and the handle (31). The elastic element is configured such that when the handle (31) moves downward, the connecting rod (33) and the blade (34) can extend out of the housing (10) and unfold at a certain angle.
3. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting rods (33) are provided in multiple ways. The elastic force of the elastic element between the multiple connecting rods (33) and the handle (31) is different, so that the angles of the multiple connecting rods (33) relative to the housing (10) are different when they extend out of the housing (10).
4. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic element is a torsion spring or a spring sheet.
5. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cutter head (34) includes a transducer (341) mounted at the end of the connecting rod (33) and a vibrating element (342) disposed on the transducer (341), the transducer (341) being configured to cause the vibrating element (342) to generate high-frequency vibration.
6. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 5, characterized in that, The handle (31) is equipped with a controller (32) that electrically connects the transducer (341) and an external power source. The controller (32) is configured to connect or disconnect the electrical connection between the transducer (341) and the external power source.
7. The wellbore unblocking tool according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The drive assembly (20) includes a motor (21) installed in the housing (10), and the output end of the motor (21) is provided with a transmission structure (23). The transmission structure (23) is configured to enable the tool holder (31) to move axially under the drive of the motor (21).
8. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transmission structure (23) is a screw (231) connected to the output end of the motor (21). The screw (231) is screwed to the tool holder (31), so that the tool holder (31) can move axially.
9. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 7, characterized in that, The input end of the motor (21) is connected to a cable (22) extending toward the wellhead, and the cable (22) contains a high-voltage wire for electrically connecting an external power source and the motor (21).
10. The wellbore unblocking tool according to claim 9, characterized in that, The cable (22) is also equipped with a low-voltage wire for signal transmission, which is electrically connected to the motor (21) and the control system on the ground.