Downhole activated packer plug magnetic debris tool

Abstract

A downhole magnetic debris tool is disclosed that may be connected to the bottom of a packer isolation plug. The downhole magnetic debris tool may include a magnetic shield assembly that shields the magnets and prevent the collection of magnetic debris as the packer isolation plug assembly is run into the well. The packer isolation plug assembly is inserted into the internal seal bore of a set packer. The assembly protects the seal bore from damage and prevents debris from moving downhole. The magnets of the downhole magnetic debris tool may be unsheathed upon removal of the packer isolation plug from the packer. The downhole magnetic debris tool may be used to collect magnetic debris that has collected on top of the packer. Additionally, the magnet shield assembly may act as a debris basket collecting downhole debris while the assembly is pulled from the hole.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a Non-provisional application claiming benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 801,152, entitled, “Downhole Activated Packer Plug Magnetic Debris Tool,” by Maximiliano Mondelli, George Krieg, David Hebert, and Dewayne Turner, filed May 17, 2006, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a downhole magnetic debris tool connected to the bottom of a packer isolation plug. The disclosed tool includes a magnetic shield assembly that shields the magnets as the packer isolation plug assembly is run into the well. The packer isolation plug is inserted into the internal seal bore of a set packer to protect the seal bore from damage and debris while a well bore is perforated. The magnets of the downhole magnetic debris tool are unsheathed upon removal of the packer isolation plug from the set packer...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The object of the present disclosure is to provide a downhole magnetic debris tool that may be connected to the bottom of a packer plug. The assembly is inserted into the inner seal bore of a packer that is set downhole in a wellbore, thus sealing the packer and protecting the inner seal bore of the packer from being damaged during the perforation of the casing. The assembly also prevents the passage of debris through the inner seal bore to the wellbore below the packer. The magnets of the downhole magnetic debris tool may be shielded while the assembly is tripped into the well to prevent the premature collection of metallic debris. After the well has been perforated, the assembly is removed from the packer seal bore. The removal of the assembly from the isolation packer internal seal bore may automatically cause the magnets of the tool to unsheathe such that the magnets may collect metallic debris as they pass the top of the set packer. The assembly also may provide means for the collection of non-metallic debris as the assembly travels away from the packer.

[0014]The downhole magnetic debris tool, hereinafter “magnetic debris tool,” of the present disclosure may be connected to a conventional packer isolation plug. The magnetic debris tool may include a top adapter having a first end connected to a lower portion of the packer isolation plug and a second end connected to an upper portion of an internal mandrel. The outer diameter of the internal mandrel may be slotted to accept magnet tubes. An internal adapter or internal coupling may be connected to the lower connection of the internal mandrel, the internal coupling allowing additional internal mandrels and internal couplings to be connected together to configure the assembly with a desire length. The magnetic debris tool includes a guide nose that is connected to the bottom end of the lowest internal mandrel. The guide nose may provide an easier entry into the internal seal bore of the isolation packer. Each of the above components may be comprised of any material that provides adequate material strength and anti-corrosive properties, such as stainless steel, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019]One embodiment of the present disclosure is the method of running the magnetic debris tool into the well and removing debris after perforation of the well casing has been completed. After an isolation packer has been set within a wellbore, but prior to perforating the casing wall, a packer isolation plug must be placed within the internal seal bore of the isolation packer to prevent damage to the internal seal bore. Additionally, the placement of a packer isolation plug prevents debris from entering the lower interval completion hardware. By modifying the lower portion of the packer isolation plug, a down-hole magnetic debris tool is made up to the packer isolation plug. The packer isolation plug / debris magnetic tool assembly must be set in the packer prior to perforating the casing wall. When setting the assembly into the packer seal bore the collet will indicate through the isolation packer bore and a snap latch of the isolation plug will locate in the isolation packer, which both ensure the correct placement of the assembly within the seal bore. The magnetic debris tool will be located below the packer isolation plug in the lowermost portion of the isolation packer and also any accessory equipment connected to the isolation packer. The accessory equipment may be any accessory, such as a multiple service closing sleeve, an internal seal bore extension, or a seal house extension, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0021]After the perforation of the wellbore, the operator will usually attempt to reverse circulate the well fluid in an attempt to kill the well. The casing-perforation assembly will be pulled from the well upon completion of the fluid circulation. The next phase is to enter the well bore with the packer plug retrieving tool. Prior to retrieving the packer plug the operator will usually attempt to reverse circulate the well fluid in an attempt to remove the previously mentioned debris from the casing annular area. Steel particles are especially difficult to remove by reverse circulation. Also wellbores that include tapered strings or liner tops may further exacerbate the removal of the debris by reverse circulation. Typically high annular velocities (pump rates) combined with viscous polymer pill sweeps fall short of completely removing the debris under these adverse well conditions. Reverse circulating the debris from the well provides limited benefits due to the potential for fluid loss to open perforations.

Problems solved by technology

The removal of the assembly from the isolation packer internal seal bore may automatically cause the magnets of the tool to unsheathe such that the magnets may collect metallic debris as they pass the top of the set packer.

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