Dual-Pole Magnetic Attraction Downhole Magnetic Retrieval Apparatus
A magnetic retrieval tool used for collecting metallic debris and material from within a wellbore or other surrounding downhole tubular. The tool includes a tool mandrel with a removable insert which contains one or more magnets. The insert is formed such that both the north and south magnetic poles of the one or more magnets are able to attract metallic debris.
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to systems and methods for cleaning the interior of tubular members. In particular aspects, the invention relates to methods and devices for removing metallic debris from tubular members using magnets. In other particular aspects, the invention relates to magnetic retrieval devices that externally present both north and south poles of magnets for removal of metallic debris.
2. Description of the Related Art
Metallic debris accumulates within wellbores and other tubular members during production of subterranean fluids, such as hydrocarbon fluids. This metallic debris typically includes tiny metal shavings and cuttings. These shavings and cuttings result from numerous frictional operations that might occur within the wellbore or tubular, including the cutting of sidetracking windows, milling, drilling through of stuck devices and objects, as well as general operations that cause metal-to-metal scraping to occur.
Devices used for the removal of metallic debris by magnets are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,515,299, U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,724 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,449.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides magnetic retrieval tools for use in a wellbore or other tubular member to remove metallic debris. In preferred embodiments, a retrieval apparatus includes a tool mandrel with insert pockets. In addition, the tool mandrel preferably includes a central collar with keyed openings. The retrieval apparatus preferably includes a plurality of removable, modular inserts which reside within the insert pockets of the tool mandrel. Spacers also preferably surround the tool mandrel and help to retain the inserts in place. The tool also preferably carries stabilizers to help centralize the inserts within a surrounding tubular.
The bodies of the modular inserts each contain one or more individual magnets. The insert bodies also present an interior radial surface and an outer radial surface. The outer radial surface faces a wellbore or surrounding tubular when the insert is installed within a magnet pocket. The inner radial surface faces the tool mandrel when the insert is so installed. A removable cover may be disposed onto the interior radial surface of each insert to retain magnets within cavities within the insert body.
The inserts of the magnetic retrieval tool each preferably provide one or more longitudinal, axially extending fins which project radially outwardly from a base portion. The fins are separated from one another by recesses within which metallic debris is captured upon being attracted by the magnets within the fins of the inserts. In this embodiment, both magnetic poles of the magnetic elements within the insert body are available to attract metallic debris.
The advantages and further aspects of the invention will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or similar elements throughout the several figures of the drawing and wherein:
The tool mandrel 12 presents an outer radial surface 18 with a plurality of recessed pockets 20 formed therewithin. In the depicted embodiment, there are four pockets 20. Each of the pockets 20 is preferably axially elongated and arcuately curved, as shown in
The exemplary magnetic retrieval tool 10 also includes a plurality of removable inserts 26 that reside within the pockets 20 in a complimentary manner. An exemplary insert 26 is depicted in
Once the magnets 44 are placed within the cavities 42, the cover 38 is slid into place by disposing tapered tabs 39 on the cover 38 into grooves 41 on the insert 26. The cover 38 will retain the magnets 44 within the cavities 42 of the insert 26. In addition, the cover 38 preferably isolates the magnets 44 magnetically from the mandrel 12. It is noted that the inserts 26 themselves and covers 38 are preferably not made of magnetic material. However, the magnets 44 that are retained within the inserts 26 provide the magnetic force used to remove metallic debris from a wellbore or other tubular member. Because a non-magnetic cover 38 is disposed in between the mandrel 12 and each magnet 44, the magnets 44 are substantially isolated magnetically from the mandrel 12, thereby making the inserts 26 substantially easier to remove from the mandrel 12.
As
Preferably, the tool mandrel 12 also defines a pair exterior fluid flowpaths 46 (see
It is further preferred that the magnetic retrieval tool 10 includes stabilizers 47, 48 that radially surround the tool mandrel 12 and are used to centralize the magnetic bars 26 of the tool 10 within a surrounding tubular during operation. Each of the stabilizers 47, 48 are rotatable with respect to the tool mandrel 12. In a currently preferred embodiment, the stabilizers 47, 48 are formed of mating semi-cylindrical halves that are assembled around the outer circumference of the tool mandrel 12.
It is noted that in both the tool 10 in
The foregoing description is directed to particular embodiments of the present invention for the purpose of illustration and explanation. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that many modifications and changes to the embodiment set forth above are possible without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A magnetic retrieval tool for collecting metallic material from a surrounding tubular, the tool comprising:
- a tool mandrel;
- a magnet with north and south magnetic poles disposed upon the tool mandrel; and
- wherein the tool presents a first outer attraction surface to attract metallic debris using the north magnetic pole of the magnet and a second outer attraction surface to attract metallic debris using the south magnetic pole of the magnet.
2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool further comprises:
- an outer radial surface having at least one outwardly radially-projecting fin having two lateral sides;
- the magnet is located inside of the fin; and
- the first outer attraction surface is located on one lateral side and the second outer attraction surface is located on the other lateral side.
3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the outer radial surface comprises a plurality of outwardly radially-projecting fins having two lateral sides;
- a magnet is disposed within each of said fins; and wherein
- a radially exterior recess is disposed between each two of said plurality of fins for collection of metallic debris.
4. The tool of claim 3 wherein at least one magnet disposed within a fin comprises a non-magnetic tube containing a plurality of magnets.
5. The tool of claim 2 further comprising:
- an insert disposed upon the tool mandrel, the fin being defined upon the insert; and
- wherein the magnet is disposed within a magnet-retaining cavity that is located at least partially within the fin.
6. The tool of claim 5 wherein the insert is substantially formed of non-magnetic material.
7. The tool of claim 5 further comprising a cover that is removably attached to an inner radial surface of the insert to retain the magnet within the cavity.
8. A magnetic retrieval tool for collecting metallic material from a surrounding tubular, the tool comprising:
- a tool mandrel;
- an insert disposed upon the tool mandrel, the insert containing a magnet with north and south magnetic poles; and
- wherein the insert presents a first outer attraction surface to attract metallic debris using the north magnetic pole of the magnet and a second outer attraction surface to attract metallic debris using the south magnetic pole of the magnet.
9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the insert further comprises:
- an outer radial surface having at least one outwardly radially-projecting fin having two lateral sides;
- the magnet is located inside of the fin; and
- the first outer attraction surface is located on one lateral side and the second outer attraction surface is located on the other lateral side.
10. The tool of claim 9 wherein:
- the outer radial surface comprises a plurality of outwardly radially-projecting fins having two lateral sides; and
- a magnet is located inside of each fin.
11. The tool of claim 10 wherein a radially exterior recess is disposed between each two of said plurality of fins for collection of metallic debris.
12. The tool of claim 8 wherein the insert is substantially formed of non-magnetic material.
13. The tool of claim 8 wherein the magnet is disposed within a magnet-retaining cavity that is located at least partially within the fin.
14. The tool of claim 13 further comprising a cover that is removably attached to an inner radial surface of the insert to retain the magnet within the cavity.
15. The tool of claim 8 wherein the tool mandrel includes an exterior fluid flowpath defined upon an outer radial surface to permit fluid in a surrounding tubular to flow past the tool.
16. An insert for use with a magnetic retrieval tool, the insert comprising:
- an insert body that is shaped and sized to removably reside within a complimentary pocket on a tool mandrel;
- the insert body containing a magnet with north and south magnetic poles; and
- the insert body presenting a first outer attraction surface to attract metallic debris using the north magnetic pole of the magnet and a second outer attraction surface to attract metallic debris using the south magnetic pole of the magnet.
17. The insert of claim 16 further comprising:
- an outer radial surface having at least one outwardly radially-projecting fin having two lateral sides;
- the magnet is located inside of the fin; and
- the first outer attraction surface is located on one lateral side and the second outer attraction surface is located on the other lateral side.
18. The insert of claim 17 wherein the outer radial surface comprises a plurality of outwardly radially-projecting fins having two lateral sides;
- a magnet is disposed within each of said fins; and wherein
- a radially exterior recess is disposed between each two of said plurality of fins for collection of metallic debris.
19. The insert of claim 18 wherein a radially exterior recess is disposed between each two of said plurality of fins for collection of metallic debris.
20. The insert of claim 16 wherein the insert body is substantially formed of non-magnetic material.
21. The insert of claim 17 wherein the magnet is disposed within a magnet-retaining cavity that is located at least partially within the fin.
22. The insert of claim 21 further comprising a cover that is removably attached to an inner radial surface of the insert to retain the magnet within the cavity.
Type: Application
Filed: May 18, 2010
Publication Date: Nov 24, 2011
Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Gregory L. Hern (Porter, TX), Thomas M. Ashy (Lafayette, LA), Jace E. Melder (Erath, LA), Larry T. Palmer (Spring, TX), Paul L. Connell (Spring, TX), Jonathan F. Nelson (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 12/782,207
International Classification: E21B 31/06 (20060101);