US3083765A

US3083765A - Method and apparatus for conditioning bore holes

Info

Publication number: US3083765A
Application number: US65620A
Authority: US
Inventors: Archer W Kammerer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-10-28
Filing date: 1960-10-28
Publication date: 1963-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1980-04-02

Description

April Z, 1963 A. w. KAMMERER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING DORE HOLES FIIed OCT. 28, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl/'6a 1an JNVENTOR. en/Ee m KAMMEQEQ April 2, 1963 A. w. KAMMERER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING BORE HOLES Filed 0G15. 28, 1960 F'o 3a 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fa. 3a.

NVENTOR. en/Ee PV: HGM/145,952

rraeA/Ey.

April 2, 1963 A. w. KAMlvn-:RER` 3,083,765

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING BORE HOLES rroe/VE Y- April 2, 1963 A. W. KAMMERER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING BORE HOLES Filed OC.. 28, 1960 'HIM i"y en/EQ m @MME/@Ee 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 rraeA/Ey.

April 2, 1963 A. w. KAMMERER 3,083,765

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING BORE HOLES Filed Oct. 28, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F400 ga F1/'G0 ga IN VEN TOR.

en/Ee MC Kalff/MERE@ taes The present invention relates to methods and subsurface apparatus for performing various operations in bore holes.

An object of the invention is to enlarge a bore hole, such as a well bore, and provide a cementit-ious plug in the enlarged hole, all with a single trip of equipment in the bore hole, resulting in the attainment of a better plug at a substantial -savings in time and cost.

Another object of the invention is to mill or cut away casing or liner -in a well bore to open the latter along a predetermined length and introduce cementitious material into the opened portion of the well bore, all with a single Itrip of equipment in the well bore.

A further object of the invention is to mill or cut away casing or liner in a well bore to open the latter along a desired length and hydraulically enlarge the open portion of the well bore, all with a single trip of equipment in the well bore.

Yet another object of the invention is to expose a portion of a cased or lined well bore and .then condition the wall or the exposed well bore, `all with a single trip of equipment in the well bore.

An additional object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of being lowered in a well bore and of performing cutting, well conditioning, and cementing operations therein without removing Ithe apparatus from the well bore.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of being lowered in a well bore to remove a desired length of casing or liner therewithin and to perform one or more of the following additional operations without removing the apparatus from the well bore: washing or otherwise conditioning the exposed portion of the wel-l bore, enlarging the exposed portion of the well bore, or depositing cementitious material along such exposed portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of being lowered in a well bore to remove a desired length of casing or liner therewithin and of simultaneously performing a hydraulic jetting action against the wall of the exposed well bore.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may 'be made more clearly appa-rent from a consideration of several -forms and methods embodying the invention. These forms and methods are shown and described in the present specification and in the drawings accompanying and constituting a part thereof. They will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invent-ion is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES l and la together constitute a longitudinal section through an apparatus disposed in a well casing, with parts in their initial position for lowering the apparatus in the well bore, FlG. la constituting a lower continuation of FIG. l;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along the line 2-2 Von FIG. la;

FIGS. 3 and 3a are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and da, with parts of the apparatus in expanded condition, FIG. 3a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 3;

J arent r; iQ@

FIG. 4 is .a longitudinal section, parts being shown in side elevation, of the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. l to 3a in condition for performing a jetting action in the well bore;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the apparatus depositing cementitious material in the well bore;

FIG. 6A is a longitudinal -sectional view', parts being shown in side elevation, of a modied form of apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section through still another embodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a combined longitudinal section and side elevational view of yet another form of the apparatus in condition for milling away a yliner section;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view, partly in longitudinal sec tion and partly in side elevation, of :the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 8 conditioned for performing a jetting action on the wall of a well bore.

The apparatus A illustrated in FIGS. l to 5, inclusive, is specically designed for cutting or milling away a portion of :casing D disposed in a well bore along a desired length, and of then performing a jetting action upon the exposed well bore for the purpose of conditioning the well bore, or enlarging the diameter of the same, .or of depositing cementitious material in the well bore, or a combination of such last-mentioned operations. The apparatus A is secured to the lower end of a string of drill pipe B that extends to the top of the well bore C and by means of which the apparatus is lowered through the string of well casing D to a location therein whe-re a casing milling operation is to commence, and where other operations are also to be performed without removing the apparatus from the well casing.

The apparatus A disclosed includes a rotary drill bit H, the upper portion of which consists of :a mandrel 10 having an upper pin 11 threadedly connected to the lower end of the string of drill pipe B. This mandrel includes an upwardly kelly or a `drill stem member 12 slidably splined to the main body 13- of the drill bit. The exterior of the lower portion 14 of the kelly is non-circular in shape being telescopically received in a companion non-'circular socket 15 formed in the main bit body 13. Specifically, the kelly exterior and 'the socket 15 may be of hexagonal shape to enable the kelly 12 to be moved longitudinally with respect to the body 13, while still being capable of transmitting rotary motion to the body.

The mandrel 1li has a limited range of longitudinal movement within the body, downward movement being ydetermined by :engagement of the `lower end '16 of the kelly with an inwardly directed body shoulder 17, and its upward movement being limited to engagement of an external lshoulder or piston portion 18 tof the kelly with a cylinder head 19 secured to the body. The upper end of the head `has a ange 20 engaging a body shoulder 2l, the flange being prevented from moving upwardly ot' the body by split snap retainer rings 22 fitting in a body groove 23 and overlying the flange 2u. An annular guide 24 is releasably secured to the body 13 by a split snap ring 2S above the retainer rings 22. y

The body has a plurality of expansible parts mounted on it. These include cutter supporting member 26 pivotally mounted in body slots 27 on hinge pins 28 suitably secured to the body to prevent their loss therefrom. Each cutter supporting member 26 depends from the hinge pin 28 and carries `a drag or milling cutter structure 29* at its lower ends, which may be suitably attached to each supporting member 276, as by welding material 29a.

The cutter supporting members 26 and lthe `cutter structures 29 themselves tend to occupy a retracted position substantially entirely within the contines of the main body 13 of the bit. These cutter supporting members and the cutter structures are expandible outwardly to sever the o casing D and mill it away by operating upon the upper end E of the casing therebelow. To accomplish the eX- pansion, each cutter supporting member has an inclined expander surface 3i? on its inner portion below the hinge pin 28, which tapers in a downward and inward direction. Each expander surface terminates in a Ilock surface 31 formed on a lock portion 32 of the cutter supporting member. The outward expansion is accomplished by producing relative longitudinal movement be- Itween the mandrel iti and the bit body i3, which will produce relative longitudinal movement between the cutter supporting members 26 and the tubular member 33 of the mandrel lil.

The tubular member includes a portion 3d slidably within a guide bushing 35 mounted -in a bridge 35 secured to the body and extending across the body slots 27. This guide bushing 35 is disposed below the lock p0rtions 32 ofthe cutter supporting members 26. The tubular member 33 extends downwardly of the guide bushing 35 to a substantial extent and is piloted within a head lili) to which it is suitably secured, as by welding material or soldering, Vthis head being slidable longitudinally in the body i3 and along a plurality of elongate lower body slots itil. VThe head extends below .the slots and is slid- `able in a bore im in the lower portion of the body, leakage of fluid between the head and the lower portion of the vbody being prevented by a suitable pliant elastic seal ring S103 mounted in the body and slidably and sealingly engaging the periphery of `the head litt).

The head has a central passage 1M communicating with the passage 46 through the tubular member 33 and a plurality of circumferentia-lly spaced side ports .W opening into the passage H64. Mounted in each side port 195 and secured to the head MM), as by welding, are jets or nozzles 156 arranged generally radially of the head, and which are in alignment with the lower slots 101 or extend thereinto, so that iuid pumped down through the passage 1M of the head will `discharge `from the jets or nozzles litt; through the slots 101i and against the wall of the well casing D or wall of the open well bore C.

lLocated initially and substantially above the guide bushing 35, and below the hinge pins 23, and in cutter member recesses 37 is a mandrel lock and expander 38, which has outer surfaces 39 adapted to engage the expander -surfaces 3i? and lock surfaces 3l. The lock and expander 33 may be formed integrally with the tubular member 33, the upper end or" the latter being piloted within a socket 4i) formed on the lower portion 14 of the kelly l2. An enlarged boss el on the tubular member 33 engages a downwardly facing shoulder 42 of the kelly, the tubular member being held against this shoulder by a suitable split retainer or lock ring 43, snapped into an internal groove 44 encompassing the kelly socket and engaging the lower end of the tubular member boss 41.

Drilling mud or other iiuid can pass down through the central passage 4S and the kelly or drill stem 12 and into the central passage 46 that extends completely through the tubular ymember 33, this fluid or iiuent material passing into the head passage 104 and then outwardly through the nozzles 156 and the lower body slots lll into the surrounding well bore. Leakage of `fluid around the exterior of the tubular member 33 is prevented by a suitable side seal ring 47, such as a rubber O ring, in a. peripheral groove 4t? in the kelly which engages the exterior of the boss 41. v

Assuming the body 13 of the tool to be elevated relatively along the tubular mandrel lil, the inclined expander Y surfaces 39 of the cut-ter supporting members 26 will be shifted upwardly along the lock and expander portion 33 of the tubular member 33. During such upward shifting, the cutter -supporting members 26 and the cutter structures carried thereby will be pivoted about the hinge pins 28 and urged in an outward direction. The upward movement of the body 13 with respect to the tubular mandrel l@ can continue until the

cutter structures

27, 29

have been shifted outwardly to their fullest extent, as determined by engagement of stop shoulders 49 on the cutter supporting members 26 with companion shoulders 5d formed in the body on opposite sides of the body slots 27. When such engagement occurs, the lower end le of the kelly portion 312 of the tubular mandrel will engage the body shoulder 17, and the vlock and expander 33 on the tubular member 33 will be disposed behind and in engagement with the lock portions 32 on the cutter supporting members 26 (Fl'G. 3).

It is to be noted that the surfaces 3l on the lock portions 32 of the cutter supporting members 26 and the companion surfaces 39 on the lock and expander portions 3S of the tubular member are substantially parallel to the axis ofthe drill bit to prevent reactive forces on the cutter structures 29 from moving the latter inwardly. As a practical matter, it is prefer-red that the coengaging lock surfaces 39, 31 be inclined slightly in a downward direction toward the axis of the tool to insure release of the lock and expander portion 33 from the cutter supporting members 26 when the latter and the cutter structures Z9 are yto be shifted to retracted position.

Relative longitudinal movement between the tubular mandrel liti and the body i3 of the too-l is accomplished hydraulically in the specific form of apparatus disclosed in the drawings. Thus, the piston or enlarged portion t8 on the drill stem l2 is received within a counterbore Si in the upper portion of the body of the tool. This upper portion actually constitutes a cylinder 52 having a cylindrical wall 53 extending from a 4lower shoulder 54, defining the bottom of the counterbore 5l, to the cylinder head 19.

A confined cylinder space 55 is formed between the piston portion 1S of the kelly, the periphery of the kelly above the piston, and the cylinder 52. A suitable packing or side seat ring 56 may be disposed in a suitable piston ring groove 57 formed in the piston portion l, which is adapted to `slidably seal against the cylindrical wall 53 of the cylinder 52. Fluid is thereby prevented from passing in a downward direction between the piston and cylinder. Similarly, fluid is prevented from passing in `an upward direction out of the annular cylinder space 55 by an inner side seal ring 53 carried in an internal groove 59 in fthe cylinder head 19 and slidably and sealingly engaging the periphery of the kelly i'above the piston l, vvand also by an outer side seal ring 6@ disposed in an external groove 6i on the head i9 and sealingly engaging the cylinder wall 53.

Fluid under pressure in the string of drill pipe B and in the tubular mandrel passage 45 can be fed into the cylinder space 55 through one or more side ports 62 establishing communication between the central passage d5 through the kelly and the cylinder space. Such iiuid under pressure is developed, in the form of invention disclosed in the drawings, by virtue of the fact that the total area through the jets or nozzles i616 is substantially less than the area of the passage 45 through the kelly portion of the mandrel, or because of the fact that the passage 46 through the tubular member 33 of ythe mandrel is of a restricted diameter as compared to the passage 45. As a result, the pumping of drilling mud or other iluid at an adequate rate through the apparatus will build up a back pressure of fluid in the passage 55, which pressure will be imposed on the fluid in the cylinder space 55, acting upon the cylinder head 19 to urige the body l?) of the tool in an upward direction with respect to the tubular mandrel le, to secure outward expansion of the cutter supporting members 26 and cutter structures 29 to their fullest extent as above described. During such upward movement of the body along the mandrel, the lower body slots itil are shifted upwardly along the nozzles 33.66 mountedV in the head secured to the mandrel lil. However, the slots 151 have a suliicient length such that fluid discharged through the nozzles can pass freely through the slots to the exterior ofthe body i3 ofthe tool.

As apparently disclosed in the drawings, a set of diametrically opposed supporting members '26 and cutter structures 29 are supplied, disposed substantially 180 degrees apart from each other. Actually, it is preferred to supply three sets of supporting member and cutter structures displaced substantially 120 degrees from each other to secure a smoothly running rotary expansible bit. Two sets of supporting member structures are shown in FIGS. l, la, 3, 3a, 4 and 5 in the interest of simplicity of the drawings. However, regardless of the number of cutters 29 used, the jet nozzles 106 employed can be any suitable number displaced circumferentially from one another to the desired extent. As shown in FIG. 2, three nozzles `106 displaced about l2() degrees are illustrated, each nozzle being adapted to direct its fluid through its companion body slot 1911.

In the use of the apparatus A, it is run in the Well casing with the cutter supporting members 2.6 and their cutter structures 29 in their initial retracted position, such as disclosed in FGS. l and la. When the apparatus has Vbeen lowered to the desired point in `the well casing, at which the latter is to be severed, the pumps (not shown) at the top of the well bore are started to pump fluid at a. sufficient rate through the drill pipe B and into the

mandrel passages

45, 46, 104 and through the nozzles ille, building up a back pressure in the kelly passage 45, in the ports 62 and cylinder space 5d, which pressure acts upon the cylinder head 19 to urge the body 13, the cutter supporting members 26 and the cutter members 29 in an upward direction with respect to the mandrel lll. During such upward movement, the expander surfaces 30 are brought to bear against the lock and expander portions 38 of the mandrel, the cutter structures being urged in an outward direction against the wall of the well casing D. The drill pipe B and the apparatus A are rotated at the proper speed while fluid is being pumped through the apparatus, the outer edges of the cutters 29 acting upon the wall of the casing and gradually milling it away, as described in United States Patent No. 2,922,627, for example. During `this operation, 'the apparatus is retained in substantially the same longitudinal position in the well casing. As the casing is cut away, the hydraulic force acting upon the body 13 raises it and the cutter supporting members 26 and cutter structures 29 to a further extent until the outer edges of the cutters have completely severed the casing. Thereafter, rotation of the drill pipe B and the apparatus A continues so that the reaming portions of the cutters 29 continue to cut away the casing and dig into the formation, until the cutters have been fully expanded outwardly to the maximum extent, as determined by engagement of the stop shoulders 49, 50 and the lower end 1d of the kelly portion l2 of the mandrel with the body shoulder 17. With the parts in this position, the lock portion 32 of each cutter supporting member 26 will bear against the lock and Vexpander portion 38 of the tubular member 33 to preclude inadvertent partial retraction of the cutter structures 29 from their fully expanded position.

Downweight in the proper amount is now imposed on the string of drill pipe B, this downweight being trans mitted through the kelly l2 `to the body shoulder 17 and from the body d3 to the stop shoulders Sil, 49 directly to the cutter supporting members `2,6 and the cutter structures 29, urging the latter against the upwardly facing severed end E of the well casing. The imposition of the proper downweight or drilling weight on the apparatus and its rotation at the proper speed will cause the cutters to effect a cutting action upon the severed end E of the casing and mill it away. During such milling action, drilling fluid is being pumped down through the drill pipe B and through the kelly, discharging from the nozzles 166 into the well bore around the apparatus, and carrying the cutters upwardly around the apparatus and the drill pipe B to the top of the hole.

After the desired length of casing has been milled away, which, for example, maybe of a length of 20 feet `to 4() feet, the downweight imposed on the apparatus is discontinued. A subsequent operation can now be performed in the well bore without removing the apparatus A from the well bore. If it is desired to enlarge `the well bore C, circulating fluid is pumped down through the drill pipe B -and through the apparatus A, discharging from the nozzles 106 and directing a jet of fluid `against the wall of the Aexposed well bore M (FIG. 4). The drill string and apparatus connected thereto are rotated at the desired speed during such pumping operation so that the entire circumference of the well bore is covered by the jets of fluid issuing from the nozzles 106. During the rotation and pumping operation, the drill pipe B and the apparatus A can be gradually elevated, so that the jet streams are caused to impinge upon the desired length of the wall of the well bore above the lower shoulder N produced by the cutters. If, for example, the well casing has been severed along a length of about 20 feet, the tool will be elevated a distance of about 20 feet so that the fluid jets operate along the entire length of the exposed hole M. 0f course, the apparatus can be raised and lowered as many times as desired, depending upon the hole enlarging operation that is to be performed by the streams issuing at high velocity from the jets. To insure such high velocity streams, pumps at the top of the well bore will be used capable of forcing a relatively large volume of fluid through the drill pipe and apparatus.

if it is only desired to enlarge the wall of the well bore by the jetting action, after such enlargement has been completed, the pumping action can be stopped and the apparatus A removed through the well casing D. It is merely necessary to elevate the tubular mandrel 101 with respect to the body i3 and the cutter supporting members 26, raising the lock and expander portion 38 above the expander surfaces 30, whereupon the

cutter structures

26, 29 will drop back to their retracted position, such as disclosed in FIG. l. The drill pipe and apparatus can then be elevated through the well casing above the -enlarged well bore portion M to remove the apparatus at the top of the hole.

After the section of casing has been milled away, the wall of the well bore M can be conditioned by pumping llluid downwardly through 4the drill pipe B, the apparatus A, and out through `the nozzles 106, in the manner described above, the apparatus being rotated by the drill pipe during the pumping operation, and moved longitudinally along thet face of the exposed Well bore M yto insure the conditioning operation along the desired length of the latter. Suitable washing fluid Vcan be used in the performance of the washing operation. The washing operation is desirable for the purpose of exposing the wall of the well bore, and particularly to remove a drilling mud cake from the wall in the event a cement plu y is to be placed in the lower portion of the exposed hole M, so that a subsequent operation can be performed in the hole, such as the setting of a whipstock (not shown) on the cement plug, and the drilling of a. hole dellected from the existing well bore C. i

In depositing the cement plug in the well bore, the proper amount of cement slurry S is pumped down through the drill pipe B, passing through the mandrel passages `4-5, 46 and into the jetting head 108, then discharging through the nozzles and against the wall of the hole M. -If desired, a certain proportion of abrasive sand or similar material can be mixed with the cement, so that the abrasive sand impinges upon the wall of `the hole and dislodges any mud cake that might be adherent thereto, insuring the intimate Contact of the cement slurry against the Wall of the Well bore. As the cement is discharged from the nozzles d66, the drill pipe B and the apparatus A are gradually elevated in the well bore, while the drill pipe and the apparatus are rotated at the proper speed, to insure uniform deposition of cement slurry in the well bore, the latter slulng downwardly to completely lill the entire cross-sectional area of the well bore M and along the desired length of the exposed well bore (FlG. The cement slurry will be followed by displacement fluid pumped down the drill pipe B. After all of the cement slurry has been discharged from the nozzles 1.05, the displacement iluid is then forced through the apparatus A and its nozzles to clear all passages ofthe apparatus and all regions of the tool of cement slurry, as the tool is elevated above the mass of cement slurry S deposited in the open well bore as a plug. The pumping action can then be stopped to relieve the pressure in the apparatus, whereupon the body 13 of the tool will drop downwardly along the mandrel 1li, the cutters Z9 retracting and allowing the drill string B to be elevated to remove the apparatus A through the well casing D to the top of the well bore.

The deposited cement or cementitious material S will set and harden in the well bore, forming a cement plug therein. This plug will remain in place and cannot be displaced, particularly in a downward direction, since its outer margins are resting upon the lower formation shoulder N produced by the cutters in the well bore (FIG. 5). 1In fact, such for-mation shoulder can have a much greater lateral extent than is illustrated in -FlGS. 4 and 5, for example, in view of the fact that the jetting action of the fluid pumped through the nozzles 166 can further enlarge the diameter of the exposed portion M of the well bore. Accordingly, the cement will extend laterally to a greater degree beyond the internal diameter of the well casing D, insuring against downward dislodgement of the cement plug in the well bore, as under the drilling action of a drill bit (not shown) being deflected laterally by a whipstock (not shown) set in the well bore above the cement plug.

lt is, accordingly, apparent that the apparatus A is capable of performing several operations in the well bore with a single round trip of the apparatus in the well bore. Not only will the milling action occur to remove the desired length of well casing, but the well bore can be further enlarged by the uid jets issuing from the nozzles 1%. The wall of the well bore M can be conditioned, as by removing the mud cake therefrom, and cement slurry S, or the like, can be discharged from the nozzles to form a strong cement plug in the well bore. The jetting action of the cement slurry insures an intimate plastering of the cement on the well bore Wall, particularly since the substantial force of the fluid jets will have the tendency of dehydrating the cement slurry by forcing the water mixed therewith into the surrounding formation.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. -6 is capable of operation in the same manner as the apparatus shown in FlGS. l to 5, inclusive. As disclosed in FIG. 6, the

apparatus is the same as in the prior mentioned iig-V ures, insofar as the casing milling portion H or the equipment is concerned. However, it dilers from the prior described apparatus in the construction of its jetting portion K. ln lieu of the nozzles '105 being mounted in a jetting head secured to the mandrel 110, they are mounted within a head portion 1.2i) of the bit body 13. Thus, the lower end of the tubular mandrel or member 33 extends downwardly into a body chamber or central passage 121 below the slots 27 in which the supporting members 26 and cutting structures 29 are movable. Leakage of lluid between the mandrel 33 and the bod;7 of the tool below the slots is prevented by a suitable side seal ring 122 mounted in the body and slidably and sealingly engaging the periphery of the mandrel. Accordingly, the iluid under pressure discharging from the mandrel yi6 into the body chamber lZ-l cannot pass upwardly out of the chamber. instead, such fluid in the chamber passes out through the radial nozzles i233, discharging against the wall of the surrounding well bore or casing. The chamber or passage 1211 extends downwardly in the body substantially below the nozzles i253 so that a mass of substantially dormant fluid or liquid is disposed in the lower portion of the body chamber below the nozzles against which iluid from the mandrel 33 will discharge, thereby preventing such issuing iluid from eroding the body wall of the chamber or passage X21.

The apparatus disclosed in FIG. 6 operates in essentially the same manner as the apparatus shown in FGS. l to 5, inclusive. The cutters 2@ are expanded outwardly in the same manner and the tool will mill away a desired length of the well casing D in the same manner. Following the milling operation, fluid is pumped down the drill pipe B and through the mandrel 1li, 4d into the chamber lEll, then discharging through the generally radial nozzles 123 directly against the wall of the surrounding well bore or casing. Hole enlarging jetting iluid can be pumped through the apparatus A, the latter being rotated at the proper speed during the ietting action so that the jets cover the entire circumference of the exposed well bore M, during which time the tool A` is elevated in the well bore along the desired length of the exposed hole, to cover the required length of hole with the jetting fluid. Washing iluid can be jetted -from the apparatus in the same manner as in the other form of the invention, and also cementitious material, such as cement slurry, for the purpose of forming a cement plug in the well bore.

In the form of apparatus disclosed in FG. 7, `the casing severing and milling tool H is essentially the same as in the other forms or" the apparatus, with the exception that the jet nozzles lila or `12@ need not be included in the lower portion of the apparatus. rhat is to say the milling portion H orn Vthe tool A can be the same as illustrated in United States Patent No. 2,922,627. The jetting portion K of the apparatus is attached to the upper end of the milling tool. Thus, the threaded pin l1 of the mandrel lil is threadedly attached to the lower box 13d of a tubular head or sub 131, the upper end ot v/hich has a threaded pin 132 secured to the string of drill pipe B. rl`his head or sub 31 has a central passage 133; extending therethrough provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced generally radial ports 13dwhich -may have nozzles 135' mounted therein communicating with the central passage 133 of the head. These nozzles or ports @35' are closed initially by a sleeve valve 136 extending thereacross, which is initially held in position by one or more shear screws i317 extending laterally through the head and into the sleeve.

Suitable side seal rings 33S are mounted in the head or sub 131 on opposite sides of the ports lld, i3d, sealingly engaging the periphery of the sleeve valve 136.

Initially, the passage 133 through the sleeve valve 136 is open, so that lluid can be pumped downwardly through the string of drill pipe B and through the apparatus K and into the mandrel passage 45 for the purpose of eX- panding the cutters 29 and providing the necessary duid for carrying the cuttings upwardly around the apparatus and drill pipe to the top of the well bore. When the side ports or nozzles 135 are to be opened, 'a suitable trip ball 14@ can be dropped or pumped down through the drill string B, this trip ball engaging a seat 141 in the sleeve valve to allow thebuilding up of fluid pressure in the drill string B and :the sub 131 above the sleeve valve 136 suiiicient to shear the screws 137 and shift the sleeve valve downwardly to the extent limited by its engagement with a lower shoulder l142 in the head 1.31, at which time the sleeve valve 136 is disposed below the ports or nozzles 13:3", which are now in an open condition. Fluid under pressure can now be pumped down through the string of drill pipe B and into the central passage 133 of the head or sub, such iluid pressure then discharging through the nozzles 135 for action upon the wall of the well bore.

In the use of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 7, the l'sleeve valve 136 is at rst disposed in closed position across the

ports

134, 135. The apparatus is lowered in the well casing to the desired location at which the `milling operation is to take place, after which the fluid under pressure is pumped down through the drill string and through the apparatus. A back pressure is built up through the kelly passage 45 because of the restricted passage 46 through the tubular mandrel 33, such pres- Asure elevating the body 13 along :the mandrel 10, to expand the cutters 29 outwardly, rotation of 'the drill pipe and the apparatus causing the cutters to sever the well casing, whereupon downward feeding of the apparatus with the cutters expanded will cause the cutters to act upon the upwardly facing casing shoulder E and mill away the casing to the desired extent, as well as to enlarge the well bore to a diameter exceeding the outside diameter of the well casing.

After the desired length of casing has been milled away, the trip ball 14u is dropped or pumped down through the drill string B, engaging its companion seat 141 in the sleeve 136. Pressure is then built up to shear the screw 13'7 and move the sleeve valve 136 downwardly to the port opening position, which will then preclude downward pumping of llluid through the milling apparatus H. All vlluid will then pass outwardly through the nozzles 135, jetting against the wall of the exposed hole M. The drill string B and apparatus A is then rotated while the jetting fluid is discharged from the nozzles 135 for the purpose of performing whatever operations are desired, and which have been described above in connection with the other forms of the apparatus. These include thewashing of the wall of the exposed well hole M along the desired length, the hydraulic enlargement of the wall of the well bore by the eroding action of the impinging lluid upon the formation, or the depositing of cernentitious material through the nozzles 135 into the enlarged well bore, the tool A being gradually elevated while being rotated so that cement slurry will slulf downwardly and below the lower end of the apparatus to completely bridge across the well bore and form the cement plug. Following completion of the desired operation of the well bore, the drill string B can be elevated to remove the apparatus A through the casing D to the top of the hole.

lIn the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a milling tool R is disclosed, capable of being moved downwardly on a string of drill pipe B, or other tubular drill string, through a well casing D for the purpose of cutting and milling away a portion of a liner T disposed in the well casing and extending therebelow. The milling tool can be of any desired type as, for example, the one illustrated in United States Patent No. 2,855,994, and includes a body 16d having a central passage 161 therethrough and terminating in a pilot bit 162 adapted to pass into the liner, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced cutter blades 163 adapted to engage the upper end of the liner T.

The body 160 has an upper threaded pin 164 for threaded connection to the head or sub 165 of jetting apparatus K, which has a central passage 166 therewithin and which is, in turn, threadedly secured to the lower end of the string of drill pipe B extending to the top of the well bore. The drill pipe is rotated at a proper speed with the proper weight imposed on the liner mill R for the purpose of reducing the liner to cuttings and to mill it away in a downward direction because of the cutting action of the blades 163 on fthe liner. Drilling fluid is pumped downwardly through the drill string B and through the sub or head `165 into the central passage 161 of the milling tool, discharging through the tool ports 170 and commingling with the cuttings to carry them upwardly around the apparatus to the top of the well bore.

The head of the apparatus K includes generally radial ports or openings 171 through its side wall in which nozzles 172 can be secured, as by welding. Fluid will discharge through these nozzles 172, as well as through the ports of the milling tool, so lthat the fluid discharging through the relatively small area of nozzles 172 can act on the open well bore M, resulting from the milling away of the liner T, and perform a cleaning action on the wall of the hole, or a hole enlarging operation thereon, during the time that the apparatus is being rotated in milling away the liner (FIG. 9). The liner -T can be cut away to the desired length, which may, for example, be 20 feet to 40 feet; whereupon a valve element 173, such as a ball, can be lowered or pumped down the drill string B into engagement with a companion valve seat 174 secured in the head `or sub 165 below the nozzles 172 for the purpose of closing the central passage 166. Thereafter, all of `the fluid pumped down through the drill string passes outwardly through the nozzles 172 at a high velocity, jetting against the wall of the well bore M.

The drill `string B and apparatus are rotated at the proper speed to insure that the jet streams cover the entire circumference of the well bore. By moving the apparatus upwardly and downwardly in the open hole, the jets can be caused to progressively impinge upon the wall of the well bore along its length for ythe purpose of enlarging its diameter, if desired. To assist in accomplishing this action, abrasive laden fluid can he used. Such action will also remove any mud cake on the wall of the well bore and insure its flushing upwardly through the annulus between the string of drill pipe B and the casing D to the top of the hole.

If a cement plug is to be formed in the open well bore M, the apparatus is lowered to the maximum extent, determined by engagement of the cutter blades 163 with the upwardly facing end W of the severed liner T, whereupon cementitious material is pumped down the drill string B, such cementitious material discharging through the jets 172 while the apparatus is being rotated by the drill pipe. The drill pipe and the apparatus are then elevated gradually in the well bore until the required amount of cement slurry has been deposited in the well bore, such cement slurry slulling downwardly in the well bore and coming to rest substantially at the shoulder formed by the upwardly facing end W of the liner :and the transverse formation shoulder that might surround such liner. The gradual elevation of the apparatus, while cement iS discharged, allows the cement to slump downwardly and form a bridge across the entire cross-sectional area of the well bore. After all of the cement has been discharged through the ports, the apparatus is elevated in the well bore and flushing fluid pumped down through the drill string B and tool to insure that the tool is clean of cement slurry, such flushing iluid passing upwardly around the apparatus to the top of the hole. The apparatus can now be elevated by the drill string through the casing and removed therefrom at the top of the hole. Following the setting and hardening of the cement, a firm cement plug is provided in the hole above the liner, which will remain in place.

Here again, it is to be noted that with a single trip in the well bore, a desired `section of the liner T has been milled away, .the well bore conditioned, or enlarged by the jetting action of the fluid issuing from the jets, and cement slurry, or similar cementitious material, deposited in the well bore to form a plug therewithin.

l claim:

l. ln apparatus adapted to be lowered in a bore hole on a tubular drill string: fa rotary drill bit having cutting means thereon for performing a cutting action in the bore hole by operating upon an upwardly facing transverse surface in the bore hole; and a fluid jetting device secured to said bit and having a fluid passage adapted to receive fluid from the tubular drill string; said jetting device including a generally radial nozzle disposed below said cutting means for directing lluid from the passage predominantly' against the wall of the bore hole; said fluid passage above said generally radial nozzle being closed against llow of fluid outwardly therefrom, whereby all of the fluid received by said passage from the tubular string flows through said passage to the location of said radial nozzle.

2. In apparatus adapted to be lowered in a bore hole on a tubular drill string: Ia rotary drill bit having expandible cutting means thereon for performing a cutting action in the bore hole tand means for expanding said cutting means after said bit has bee lowered in the bore hole7 said bit having a fluid passage adapted to receive fluid from the tubular drill string; and a generally radial nozzle secured to said bit and in communication with said passage to direct lluid `therefrom predominantly against the wall of the bore hole without limpinging on said cutting means; said `fluid passage above said generally radial nozzle being closed against flow of fluid outwardly therefrom, whereby all of the l'luid received by said passage from the tubular string llows through said passage to the location of said radial nozzle.

3. ln a rotary bit adapted to be lowered in a bore hole on a tubular drill string: a body; expandible cutter means on said body; a mandrel movable longitudinally in said body and having a passage adapted to receive liuid from the drill string; coengageable expander means on said mandrel and cutter means for expanding said cutter means in response to relative longitudinal movement between said body and mandrel; a generally radial nozzle secured to said bit below said critter means and adapted to jet iluid received fromsaid mandrel passage predominantly against tue wall of the bore hole.

4. ln a rotary bit adapted to be lowered in a bore hole 01'1 a tubular drill string: a body; expandible cutter means on said body; a mandrel movable longitudinally in said body and having a passage adapted to receive fluid from the drill string; coengageable expander means on said mandrel and cutter means for expanding said cutter means in response to relative longitudinal movement between said body and mandrel; a generally radial nozzle secured to said mandrel below said cutter means and adapted to jet fluid received from said mandrel passage predominantly against the wall of the bore hole.

5. ln a rotary bit adapted to be lowered in a bore hole on a tubular drill string: a body; expandible cutter means on said body; a mandrel movable longitudinally in said body and having a passage adapted to receive fluid from the drill string; coengageable means on said mandrel land cutter means for expanding said cutter means in response to relative longitudinal movement between said body and mandrel; said body having an elongate slot below said cutter means; and a gener-ally radial nozzle secured to said mandrel and extending into said slot and adapted to jet iluid received from said mandrel passage through said slot against the wall of the bore hole.

6. In a rotary bit adapted to be lowered in a bore hole on a tubular drill string: a body; expandible cutter means on said body; a mandrel movable longitudinally in said body and having a passage adapted to receive fluid from the `drill string; coengageable expander means on said mandrel yand cutter means for expanding said cutter means in response to relative longitudinal movement between said body and mandrel; said body having a chamber into which said mandrel discharges fluid; and a generally radial nozzle secured to said body and communicating with said chamber to receive duid therefrom and discharge said fluid against the wall of the bore hole.

7. The method of conditioning a bore hole, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially of the bore hole and predominantly against the Awall thereof, rot-sting the drill string and apparatus to perform a cutting operal2 tion in the bore hole and to expose the wall of the bore hole to a desired longitudinal extent, then pumping a fluent material down the drill string and jetting the fluent material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall `of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus, and elevating the drill string to elevate the apparatus along the exposed Wall of the bore hole while the fluent material is being jetted against the Wall of the bore hole.

8. The method of conditioning a bore hole, comprising lowering cutting and lluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially of the bore hole and predominantly against the wall thereof, rotating the drill string and apparatus to perform a cutting operation in the bore hole and to expose the wall of the bore hole to a desired longitudinal extent, and then pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the cementitious material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus.

9. The method of conditioning a bore hole, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said appara-tus being adapted to jet lluid substantially radially of the bore hole and predominantly against the wall thereof, rotating the drill string and apparatus to perform `a cutting operation in the bore hole and to expose the wall of the bore hole to a desired longitudinal extent, then pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the ceinentitious material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus, `and elevating the drill string to elevate the apparatus along the exposed wall of the bore hole while the cernentitious material is being jctted against the wall of the bore hole.

10. The method of conditioning a bore hole, comprising lowering cutting and fluid letting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially of the bore hole and predominantly against the wall thereof, rotating the drill string yand apparatus to perform a cutting operation in the bore hole and to expose the wall of the bore hole to a desired longitudinal extent, then pumping a fluent material down the drill string and jetting the lluent material substantially radially `and predominantly against the exposed wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus to enlarge the diameter of the bore hole, and then pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the cementitious material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the enlarged bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus to form a cementitious plug therein.

ll. The method of conditioning a bore hole, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially of the bore hole and predominantly against the wall thereof, rotating the drill string and apparatus to perform a cutting operation in the bore hole and to expose the wall of the bore hole to a desired longitudinal extent, then pumping a iluent material down the drill string and jetting the fluent material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed Wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string 'and apparatus to enlarge the diameter of the bore hole, then pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the cementitious material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the enlarged bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus to form a cementitious plug therein, and elevating the drill string to elevate the apparatus along the exposed wall of the enlarged bore hole while the cementitious material is boing jetted against the wall of the enlarged bore hole.

12. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and iluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially and predominantly against the Wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding wall of the bore hole, and then pumping a fluent material down the drill string and jetting the iiuent material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus.

13. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and liuid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially and predominantly against the wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding wall of the bore hole, then pumping a fluent material down the drill string and jetting the fluent material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus, and elevating the drill string to elevate the apparatus along the exposed Wall of the bore hole while the iluent material is being jetted against the wall of the bore hole.

14. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially and predominantly against the wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding Wall of the bore hole, and then pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the cementitious material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus.

15. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet uid substantially radially and predominantly against the wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding wall of the bore hole, then pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the cementitious material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus, and elevating the drill string to elevate the apparatus along the exposed wall of the bore hole while the cementitious material is being jetted against the wall of the bore hole.

16. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and uid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet uid substantially radially and predominantly against the wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding wall of the bore hole, then rotating the apparatus and moving the apparatus longitudinally in the bore hole to enlarge the diameter of the exposed bore hole, and pumping a iluent material down the drill string and jetting the fluent material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the enlarged bore hole While rotating the drill string and apparatus.

17. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet fluid substantially radially and predominantly against the Wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding wall of the bore hole, then rotating the apparatus and moving the apparatus longitudinally in the bore hole while jetting uent material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the Well bore to enlarge the diameter of the exposed bore hole, and pumping another fluent material down the drill string and jetting another fluent material substantially radially and predominantly against the exposed Wall of the enlarged bore hole While rotating the drill string and apparatus.

18. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet iluid substantially radially and predominantly against the wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding wall of the bore hole, rotating the apparatus and moving the apparatus longitudinally in the bore hole to enlarge the diameter of the exposed bore hole, and pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the cementitious material radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the enlarged bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus.

19. The method of conditioning a bore hole having a conduit therein, comprising lowering cutting and fluid jetting apparatus in the bore hole on a tubular drill string, said apparatus being adapted to jet uid substantially radially and predominantly against the wall of the bore hole, rotating the drill string and apparatus to cut the conduit away along a desired length in the bore hole to expose the surrounding wall of the bore hole, rotating the apparatus and moving the apparatus longitudinally in the bore hole to enlarge the diameter of the exposed bore hole, pumping cementitious material down the drill string and jetting the cementitious material radially and predominantly against the exposed wall of the enlarged bore hole while rotating the drill string and apparatus, and elevating the drill string to elevate the apparatus along the exposed wall of the enlarged bore hole while the cementitious material is being jetted against the wall of the enlarged bore hole.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,809,988 Raymond June 16, 19311 2,107,327 Creighton Feb. 8, 1938 2,307,658 Appleby Jan. 5, 1943 2,312,018 Beckman Feb. 23, 1943 2,457,628 Baker Dec. 28, 1948 2,501,411 Ryan Mar. Z1, 1960 2,626,779 Armentrout l an. 27, 1953 2,660,250 Gage et al Nov. 24, '3 2,765,146 Williams Oct. 2, 1956 2,776,112 lIlfrey etal Ian. 1, 1957 2,799,477 Kammerer July 16, 1957 2,811,206 Klotz Oct. 29, 1957 2,890,169 Prokop June 9, 1959 2,922,627 Kammerer J an. 26, 1960

Claims

7. THE METHOD OF CONDITIONING A BORE HOLE, COMPRISING LOWERING CUTTING AND FLUID JETTING APPARATUS IN THE BORE HOLE ON A TUBULAR DRILL STRING, SAID APPARATUS BEING ADAPTED TO JET FLUID SUBSTANTIALLY RADIALLY OF THE BORE HOLE AND PREDOMINANTLY AGAINST THE WALL THEREOF, ROTATING THE DRILL STRING AND APPARATUS TO PERFORM A CUTTING OPERATION IN THE BORE HOLE AND TO EXPOSE THE WALL OF THE BORE HOLE TO A DESIRED LONGITUDINAL EXTENT, THEN PUMPING A FLUENT MATERIAL DOWN THE DRILL STRING AND JETTING THE FLUENT MATERIAL SUBSTANTIALLY RADIALLY AND PREDOMINANTLY AGAINST THE EXPOSED WALL OF THE BORE HOLE WHILE ROTATING THE DRILL STRING AND APPARATUS, AND ELEVATING THE DRILL STRING TO ELEVATE THE APPARATUS ALONG THE EXPOSED WALL OF THE BORE