CN-116888342-B - Downhole laser tool and method

Abstract

A laser system for releasing a downhole device (330, 430, 530) includes a laser tool (202, 302, 402, 502) having an inner diameter (226) that is larger than an outer diameter (228) of the downhole device (330, 430, 530) and having means for generating an annular collimated laser beam (517). The laser system also includes a workstring (332, 532) having an inner diameter (226) that is greater than an outer diameter (228) of the downhole device (330, 430, 530). The laser tool (202, 302, 402, 502) is mounted on a work string (332, 532), and the work string (332, 532) is lowered around the downhole device (330, 430, 530). When the workstring (332, 532) is lowered to a position in which the laser tool (202, 302, 402, 502) is located near an obstruction of the downhole device (330, 430, 530), the laser tool (202, 302, 402, 502) emits an annular collimated laser beam (517) to clear an annulus (340, 440, 540) between the downhole device (330, 430, 530) and the wellbore wall (338, 438, 538) to release the downhole device (330, 430, 530).

Inventors

• S. I. Batarese
• D. P. St. Rome ariligi

Assignees

• 沙特阿拉伯石油公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20220223

Priority Date

20210223

Claims (12)

1. 1. A laser system for releasing downhole equipment from a wellbore, the laser system comprising: a laser tool having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the downhole device, the laser tool comprising means for generating an annular collimated laser beam, and A working string having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the downhole device, Wherein the laser tool is mounted on the working string, Wherein the workstring is lowered around the downhole device, and Wherein the laser tool emits the annular collimated laser beam to clear an annulus between the downhole device and a wellbore wall to release the downhole device when the workstring is lowered to a position in which the laser tool is located near an obstruction of the downhole device.
2. 2. The laser system according to claim 1, Wherein the annular collimated laser beam is positionable to cut the downhole apparatus.
3. 3. The laser system according to claim 1, Wherein the laser tool further comprises: An optical fiber; A laser head housing; A cover lens; A first lens, and The second lens is arranged to be positioned in contact with the first lens, Wherein the original laser beam emitted from the optical fiber passes through the first lens and the second lens to generate a collimated laser beam, whereby the laser head housing protects the first lens and the second lens together with the cap lens.
4. 4. A laser system according to claim 3, Wherein the means for generating the annular collimated laser beam further comprises: The first lens is a conical lens having a specific inner angle and a specific aspect ratio, and The second lens is a conical lens having the specific inner angle and the specific aspect ratio, wherein the original laser beam passes through the first lens to generate a divergent annular beam, and The divergent annular beam passes through the second lens to produce the annular collimated laser beam.
5. 5. The laser system according to claim 4, Wherein the specific internal angle and the specific aspect ratio determine an inner diameter of the annular collimated laser beam, an outer diameter of the annular collimated laser beam, and an eccentricity of the annular collimated laser beam.
6. 6. The laser system according to claim 1 to 5, Wherein the workstring is an overshot tool that grips the downhole equipment to be pulled out of the wellbore.
7. 7. A method of operating a laser system in a wellbore to release downhole equipment used in wellbore operations, the method comprising: Mounting a laser tool to the workstring, the laser tool comprising means for generating an annular collimated laser beam, Wherein the inner diameter of the laser tool and the working string is greater than the outer diameter of the downhole device; Lowering the workstring and the laser tool outside the downhole device to a position near an obstruction of the downhole device; generating and emitting the annular collimated laser beam into an annulus between the downhole device and a wellbore wall to clear the obstruction, and Pulling the workstring and the laser tool out of the wellbore.
8. 8. The method according to claim 7, Wherein the annular collimated laser beam is positionable to cut the downhole apparatus.
9. 9. The method according to claim 7, Wherein the laser tool further comprises: An optical fiber; A laser head housing; A cover lens; A first lens, and The second lens is arranged to be positioned in contact with the first lens, Wherein the original laser beam emitted from the optical fiber passes through the first lens and the second lens to generate a collimated laser beam, whereby the laser head housing protects the first lens and the second lens together with the cap lens.
10. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the method comprises, Wherein the means for generating the annular collimated laser beam further comprises: The first lens is a conical lens having a specific inner angle and a specific aspect ratio, and The second lens is a conical lens having the specific inner angle and the specific aspect ratio, wherein the original laser beam passes through the first lens to generate a divergent annular beam, and The divergent annular beam passes through the second lens to produce an annular collimated laser beam.
11. 11. The method according to claim 10, Wherein the specific internal angle and the specific aspect ratio determine an inner diameter of the annular collimated laser beam, an outer diameter of the annular collimated laser beam, and an eccentricity of the annular collimated laser beam.
12. 12. The method according to any one of claim 7 to 11, Wherein the workstring is an overshot tool, and the method further comprises: causing the overshot tool to grip the downhole device, and Pulling the overshot tool, the laser tool, and the downhole device out of the wellbore.

Description

Downhole laser tool and method Background Hydrocarbon fluids are typically found in hydrocarbon reservoirs located in porous formations below the surface. A hydrocarbon well may be drilled to extract hydrocarbon fluids from a hydrocarbon reservoir. Hydrocarbon wells may be drilled by running a drill string comprising a drill bit and a bottom hole assembly into the wellbore to break the rock and extend the depth of the wellbore. Fluid may be pumped through the drill bit to help cool and lubricate the drill bit, provide bottom hole pressure, and carry cuttings to the surface. During drilling operations, the drill string may become stuck. Stuck strings (commonly referred to as "stuck") occur when the drill string cannot move up or down the wellbore without applying excessive force. Often, when attempting to release a stuck drill, a portion of the drill string may break and remain in the wellbore. This portion of the drill string, known as a fish, may require a fishing operation to retrieve the fish from the wellbore. Various types of tools (e.g., jars and overshot tools) are used to attempt to release the stuck drill and retrieve the fish. Jars are mechanical devices that transfer impact loads to a stuck column section. The overshot tool is typically run in series with a rough drilling surface that allows the overshot tool to slightly drill through the stuck drill, and the fish can be grasped to pull the fish out of the wellbore. Disclosure of Invention This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure provides a laser system for releasing downhole equipment and a method of operating the system. In general, in one or more embodiments, the laser system includes a laser tool having an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the downhole device, the laser tool having means for generating an annular collimated laser beam. The laser system also includes a workstring having an inner diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the downhole device. The laser tool is mounted on the workstring, which descends around the downhole equipment. When the workstring is lowered to a position in which the laser tool is located near an obstruction of the downhole apparatus, the laser tool emits the annular collimated laser beam to clear the annulus between the downhole apparatus and the wellbore wall, thereby releasing the downhole apparatus. In one or more embodiments, a method for operating the laser system includes mounting a laser tool to a workstring, the laser tool having a means for generating an annular collimated laser beam. The laser tool and the workstring have inner diameters greater than an outer diameter of the downhole device. The workstring and the laser tool are lowered outside the downhole device to a position near an obstruction of the downhole device. The annular collimated laser beam is generated and emitted into the annulus between the downhole device and the wellbore wall to clear the obstruction and the workstring and the laser tool are pulled out of the wellbore. Other aspects and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. Drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wellsite in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a downhole laser tool according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a laser system in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a laser system according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a laser system in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments. Detailed Description In the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily complicate the description. Throughout this application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as adjectives for elements (i.e., any nouns in the present disclosure). Unless explicitly disclosed, the use of the terms "before," "after," "single," and other such terms, for example, does not imply or create any particular order