Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods of using provide access to a portion of a parent wellbore that has been separated from the remainder of the parent wellbore by a lateral wellbore liner. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus has a cutting device, which may be a torch, a housing containing the cutting device, and an anchoring structure to fix the axial, radial, and rotational position of the apparatus relative to the liner. A firing head may be utilized to activate the cutting device.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus provide ease forming an opening from a first wellbore to a second wellbore, the first wellbore having a portion thereof which intersects the second wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus has a cutting device disposed within a housing and a series of spaced apart nozzles directed radially outward from the housing. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus is axially, rotationally, and radially alignable relative to the liner of the first wellbore. The cutting device is connected to the nozzles. The nozzles direct a discharge from the cutting device radially outward to cut into the tubular structure.

Abstract: A downhole chemical cutting tool for cutting downhole tubular goods and supporting the tubular goods within the well through a load bearing hub section in the tool. The tool comprises an elongated tool body having a upper head section which is adapted to be connected to a running string such as a string of coiled tubing capable of supporting large loads. The tool body comprises a propellent section and a cutting section. A chemical section is interposed between the propellant section and the cutting section and contains at least one chamber adapted to contain a chemical cutting agent. The cutting section is adapted to receive the chemical cutting agent and has an outer wall section which contains a plurality of transverse cutting ports arranged circumferentially of the cutting section.

Abstract: Chemical cutting processes and tools for use in a well bore useful in the cutting of high strength and corrosion-resistant downhole tubular goods. The cutting tool has an elongated tool body comprising a chemical section and a cutting section having a plurality of cutting ports therein. After lowering the cutting tool to the desired location within the well, the cutting agent is discharged from the chemical section into contact with an ignitor material formed of a permeable mixture of metallic ignitor component and a promoter component which can be a metallic component or a grease component or both. The promoter component is formed of a material which is exothermically reactive with the cutting agent at a first temperature and the ignitor component is exothermically reactive at a higher temperature. The ignitor component may be formed of a predominately or entirely non-ferrous corrosion-resistant metal alloy.

Abstract: Chemical cutting tool for use within a well bore for cutting very small diameter tubular goods. The tool has an elongated tool body having anchoring means for anchoring the tool within a conduit and a pressure generating section. A cutting section of the tool body has a longitudinal bore having at least one cutting port for expelling cutting agent. A chemical section in the tool body is between the pressure generating section and the cutting section. The chemical section includes a casing having a chamber containing a source of fluid cutting agent. The tool further comprises closure means at at least one end of the casing. The closure means comprises a diaphragm body which is inserted into one end of the casing by an interference fit and which has spaced transverse rupture diaphragms. One of the rupture diaphragms fits into the diaphragm body in an interference fit. The other rupture diaphragm may fit into the tool body in an interference fit, or may be formed integrally.

Abstract: Chemical cutting processes and tool for use in a well bore useful in the cutting of high strength and corrosion-resistant downhole tubular goods. The cutting tool has an elongated tool body adapted to be inserted into a well conduit and positioned at a downhole location for effecting a cutting action. The tool body comprises a chemical section and a cutting section having a plurality of cutting ports therein for discharge of the chemical cutting agent. The cutting ports extend transversely of the major axis of the elongated tool body and are arranged in at least first and second groups. The first group of cutting ports is arranged in a configuration conforming to the desired shape of the cut and define a first pattern. The second group of cutting ports conform generally to the first pattern and are in a canted relationship with respect to the first pattern. At least some of the cutting ports in the first group are in a staggered relationship relative to at least some of the cutting ports in the second group.

Abstract: A downhole chemical cutting tool having an anchoring system employing interchangeable slip arrays of progressively larger outside diameters that can be used economically to adjust the range of the anchoring system. The range can be further adjusted by utilizing interchangeable slip expansion mandrels. This anchoring system both anchors and centralizes the chemical cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a slip shaft that provides fluid communication between the propellant section and chemical section, thence to the slip piston that receives the interchangeable slip arrays. The slip shaft and slip piston are threadably connected to a set coiled tension spring. Interchangeable slip expansion mandrels connected to the slip shaft below the slip arrays are constructed with ball bearings on the surface that receives the slip arrays expanding the slip segments into a gripping engagement an usually large angle as the slip piston is actuated by the application of fluid pressure during the cutting operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for cutting conduits. The apparatus includes a cutting head adapted for insertion in the conduit. The cutting head has at least one nozzle. The cutting head is rotatable to locate a previously cut sector of the conduit. A decentralizer is provided for positioning the nozzle adjacent a portion of the conduit.

Abstract: A chemical cutting apparatus for use within a well bore is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a tubular casing adapted to be lowered into a well bore. The tubular casing contains an internal chamber containing a chemical cutting fluid. A remotely operated explosive charge pressurizes the chamber of chemical cutting fluid and simultaneously forces chemical cutting fluid out through a discharge passage and erects a plurality of slips which anchor the tubular casing within the well bore. After a cutting operation has taken place, pressure buildup within the tubular casing which occurs as a result of a clogged discharge passage may be vented or bled off by the selective opening of a second discharge passage, thus preventing undesired engagement of the anchor slips during removal of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an interlock is provided which prevents the opening of the second discharge passage prior to ignition of the explosive charge.

Abstract: A downhold chemical cutting process for cutting a target object within a well. A source of a gaseous chemical cutting agent comprising a nitrogen fluoride is introduced into the well adjacent the target object and employed in a cutting operation in which the nitrogen fluoride cutting agent is directed against the target to the cut. A gaseous cutting agent source such as a mixture of florine and nitrogen trifluoride may be employed. Alternatively a perfluoroammonium salt which decomposes upon heating to produce a mixture of florine and nitrogen fluoride may be employed. A cutting tool comprising pressure actuated anchoring means, pressure generating and chemical sections, and a cutting section having a downwardly extending nozzle. The nozzle is provided with a standoff sleeve to provide a desired distance between the target object to be cut within a well bore and the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: Discloses an improved tool and method for cutting material by expelling a jet stream of liquid chemical reactant into forceful flowing connection and chemical reaction with a designated area of the material. Applies a force to at least one mass of reactant to move the mass through at least one jet orifice into flowing connection with material to be cut. Improvement is provision of a double rupture membrane adapted to confine the reactant mass until force is applied.

Abstract: A downhole chemical cutting tool having an improved cutting section. The tool comprises an elongated tool body adapted for insertion into a well bore and includes anchoring means actuatable between a deployed position in response to the application of fluid pressure and a retracted position in response to the release of such pressure. The tool further includes a chemical section and a cutting section located in front of the chemical section. The cutting section has a longitudinally extending bore which is in fluid communication with the chemical section at the rear of the cutting section and in fluid communication with the exterior of the tool body at the front of the cutting section. The cutting section is provided with one or more cutting ports through which the cutting fluid passes when the tool is fired. A piston is slidably disposed in the bore of the cutting section at a location between the ports and the chemical section.

Abstract: A bridge plug for use in plugging a well at a subterranean location and adapted to be set in place by insertion through a tubing string. The bridge plug comprises an elongated vent tube supporting upper and lower petal basket structures, each of which comprises a plurality of petal leaves movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. In the expanded positions the petal leaves for the upper and lower baskets form conical configurations which face upwardly and downwardly respectively. Upper and lower fabric bags cover the respective petal basket structures respectively and extend over the inner and outer surfaces of the petal leaves. Each of the petal basket structures are further provided with conically shaped liners formed of an impermeable material inside the bags and interposed between the inner surfaces of the petal leaves and the conforming portions of the bags. The liners may be formed of an adhesion-resistant material such as fiber-glass fabric coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: Discloses a method and apparatus to help provide fluid pressure in a well bore sufficient to overcome in situ earth formation pressures by perforating a circulation port through the sidewall of a drill collar above the drill bit to provide circulation of weighted drilling fluid down through the drill spring and back up the well annulus. Includes the lowering of a chemical reactant wireline perforating tool to a designated position within a drill collar, placing a single chemical flow jet into position addressing the sidewall of the drill collar, forcing the chemical reactant through the jet under high pressure and at high temperature to react with the drill collar metal and thereby remove a portion of the metal with the remaining metal defining a fluid circulation port through the drill collar wall, and pumping fluid through the port to establish circulation.

Abstract: Downhole well tools and anchoring means therefore including a chemical cutting tool having improved slip actuating and slip array assemblies. The cutting tool includes a slip shaft provided with fluid passageway and having a slip array slidably disposed thereon. The tool further includes slip expansion means secured to the shaft adjacent to the slip array. A piston sleeve is slidably disposed on the shaft and connected to the slip array and defines a piston chamber in fluid communication with the shaft passageway such that the application of fluid pressure drives the piston sleeve and slip array to a deployed position in which the slip array is expanded. Biasing means located externally of the piston sleeve function to bias the piston sleeve to a retracted position upon release of fluid pressure. The slip array is comprised of spaced slip segments which are biased inwardly by means of cantilever springs secured to a structural member of the logging tool.

Abstract: A cylindrical downhole chemical jet cutting tool including a generally cylindrical slip body having pipe gripping slips connected to a co-axially disposed expandable piston-cylinder biased toward a retracted position by a return spring; each slip includes a pivoting head pivotally retained by the slip body and biased toward a retracted from deployed position by a garter spring. Each slip defines at least two sets of gripping teeth having different gripping faces such that each gripping face becomes substantially parallel with the tool body axis as the slip becomes deployed a different respective distance from the tool. A slip expansion mandrel disposed within the slip array deploys the slips into gripping engagement as the piston-cylinder is actuated in response to application of fluid pressure. A chemical fluid cutting means including a fluid chamber defined within the tool body between two diaphragms can rupture from application of a designated differential fluid pressure.