Selectively actuatable expandable underreamer/stabilizer

US 20060207797A1
Filed: 05/18/2006
Published: 09/21/2006
Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An expandable downhole tool for use within a wellbore, comprising:

a tubular body having an axial flowbore extending therethrough;

at least one moveable arm; and

a selectively actuatable sleeve that prevents or allows the at least one moveable arm to translate between a collapsed position and an expanded position.

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Abstract

An expandable downhole tool comprises a tubular body having an axial flowbore extending therethrough, at least one moveable arm, and a selectively actuatable sleeve that prevents or allows the at least one moveable arm to translate between a collapsed position and an expanded position. A method of expanding a downhole tool comprises disposing the downhole tool comprising at least one moveable arm within the wellbore, biasing the at least one moveable arm to a collapsed position corresponding to an initial diameter of the downhole tool, flowing a fluid through an axial flowbore extending through the downhole tool while preventing the fluid from communicating with a different flowpath of the downhole tool, allowing the fluid to communicate with the different flowpath by introducing an actuator into the wellbore, and causing the at least one moveable arm to translate to an expanded position corresponding to an expanded diameter of the downhole tool.

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27 Claims

1. An expandable downhole tool for use within a wellbore, comprising:
- a tubular body having an axial flowbore extending therethrough;
  
  at least one moveable arm; and
  
  a selectively actuatable sleeve that prevents or allows the at least one moveable arm to translate between a collapsed position and an expanded position.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- - 2. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a structure for adjusting the expanded position.
  - 3. The tool of claim 1 further comprising at least one nozzle that translates with the at least one moveable arm.
  - 4. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a spring to bias the at least one moveable arm to the collapsed position.
  - 5. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tubular body further comprises at least one axial recess for storing the at least one moveable arm in the collapsed position.
  - 6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the at least one moveable arm comprises a plurality of moveable arms spaced apart circumferentially around the tool body.
  - 7. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a piston that translates the at least one moveable arm from the collapsed position to the expanded position.
  - 8. The tool of claim 1 wherein the at least one moveable arm engages the wellbore in the expanded position.
  - 9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the at least one moveable arm includes at least one set of cutting structures for underreaming the wellbore in the expanded position.
  - 10. The tool of claim 9 wherein the at least one moveable arm provides back reaming capability.
  - 11. The tool of claim 9 wherein the at least one moveable arm provides gauge protection capability.
  - 12. The tool of claim 8 wherein the at least one moveable arm includes at least one wear structure for stabilizing the drilling assembly within the wellbore.
  - 13. The tool of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is biased to a first position that prevents fluid communication between a chamber and the flowbore.
  - 14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the at least one moveable arm is prevented from translating between the collapsed position and the expanded position when the sleeve is biased to the first position.
  - 15. The tool of claim 13 wherein the sleeve is selectively actuatable to a second position that allows fluid communication between the chamber and the flowbore.
  - 16. The tool of claim 15 wherein the at least one moveable arm is translatable between the collapsed position and the expanded position when the sleeve is in the second position.
  - 17. The tool of claim 16 further including an actuator for selectively actuating the sleeve.
  - 18. The tool of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a plurality of angled channels.
  - 19. The tool of claim 18 wherein the at least one moveable arm further comprises a plurality of extensions corresponding to and engaging the plurality of angled channels.
  - 20. The tool of claim 1 further comprising at least one borehole engaging pad comprising wear structures.
  - 21. The tool of claim 1 wherein the at least one moveable arm translates axially and radially.

22. A method of expanding a downhole tool within a wellbore, comprising:
- disposing the downhole tool comprising at least one moveable arm within the wellbore;
  
  biasing the at least one moveable arm to a collapsed position corresponding to an initial diameter of the downhole tool;
  
  flowing a fluid through an axial flowbore extending through the downhole tool while preventing the fluid from communicating with a different flowpath of the downhole tool;
  
  allowing the fluid to communicate with the different flowpath by introducing an actuator into the wellbore; and
  
  causing the at least one moveable arm to translate to an expanded position corresponding to an expanded diameter of the downhole tool.
- View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
- - 23. The method of claim 22 further comprising underreaming the wellbore in the expanded position.
  - 24. The method of claim 22 further comprising stabilizing a drilling assembly connected to the downhole tool in the expanded position.
  - 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the different flowpath comprises a chamber in communication with a piston engaging the at least one moveable arm;
    - and wherein translating the at least one moveable arm to the expanded position comprises translating the piston when the fluid communicates with the chamber.
  - 26. The method of claim 22 further comprising adjusting the expanded diameter.

27. An expandable downhole tool for use within a wellbore, comprising:
- a tubular body; and
  
  at least one moveable arm;
  
  wherein the expandable downhole tool is selectively actuatable to allow or prevent the at least one moveable arm to translate between a collapsed position and an expanded position in response to a fluid flowing through the tubular body.

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Current Assignee
Smith International Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
Original Assignee
Smith International Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
Inventors
Xu, Wei, Dewey, Charles H.

Granted Patent

US 7,314,099 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

175/57
CPC Class Codes

E21B 10/322   cutter shifted by fluid pre...

E21B 17/1014   Flexible or expansible cent...

E21B 7/067   with means for locking sect...

Selectively actuatable expandable underreamer/stabilizer

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

69 Citations

27 Claims

Specification

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Selectively actuatable expandable underreamer/stabilizer

First Claim

1 Assignment

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Subscription Required

0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

69 Citations

27 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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