Locating sub system and method of orienting and/or positioning

Abstract

The locating sub system and method for orienting and/or positioning a tool within a well-bore allow for orientation and positioning of one or more tools within a well-bore to perform precise operations within a well-bore. The locating sub apparatus can include a latching member that engages and causes a tubular member to rotate to a desired orientation and/or position for down-hole operations. The locating sub apparatus can further include a sacrificial sub that houses a latching member and a tubular member to traverse the well-bore to the site for down-hole operations. Upon completion of down-hole operations as desired or in an emergency, an upward force can be exerted upon the tubular member thereby disengaging an frangible member causing the tubular member to disengage from the latching member allowing for retrieval of the tubular member through the well-bore.

1 . An apparatus for orienting and/or positioning a tool within a well-bore, the apparatus comprising:
 a locator sub for positioning within the well-bore, said locator sub having a first end and a second end;   a latching member for engagement within the locator sub, the latching member comprising a retainer;   a running tool comprising a projection, a support, a biasing member and a fungible member, the projection extends from the support for engagement with the retainer of the latching member; the projection pivotally moveable between an extended position wherein said projection projects from the running tool and a retracted position wherein said projection recedes into the running tool; the biasing member disposed within the running tool in operative association with the projection, wherein the biasing member biases the projection into the retracted position; and the frangible member disposed in association with the projection whereby shearing of the frangible member permits the biasing member to bias the projection into the retracted position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a latching member having a first end and a second end, the first end having a substantially slanted edge, said substantially slanted edge having a high end and a low end. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the running tool further comprises:
 a window on a first side of the running tool, through which the projection is pivotally moveable between the extended position and the retracted position. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the arm further comprises:
 a substantially slanted first face. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the running tool further comprises:
 a first inner surface, wherein the first inner surface is substantially slanted, the first inner surface is in operative association with the substantially slanted first face of the projection. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the running tool further comprises:
 a window on a first side of the running tool, through which the projection is pivotally moveable between the extended position and the retracted position. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the body further comprises:
 a window on the first side of the running tool, through which the projection is pivotally moveable between the extended position and the retracted position. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising:
 the arm having a substantially slanted first face; 
 the running tool having a first inner surface, wherein the first inner surface is substantially slanted, the first inner surface is in operative association with the substantially slanted first face of the projection. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the latching member further comprises a guide. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the guide further comprises an apex and an aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the aperture serves as the opening of a groove. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the locator sub comprises a bore extending there through for accommodating a wire line, a slick line, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for orienting and/or positioning a tool within a well-bore, the apparatus comprising:
 a tubular member having a first end and a second end, the first end having an angled wall, said angled wall having a high side and a low side, said low side terminating in a slot;   an orienting and/or positioning apparatus attached to said tool wherein said apparatus includes:
 a body for orienting and/or positioning within the tubular member, said body including a window situated substantially longitudinally in respect to said body, said body having an inner surface adjoining said window; 
 an arm pivotally mounted substantially within said body, wherein said arm is moveable between an extended position, wherein said arm extends through said window, and a retracted position, wherein said arm is substantially retained within said inner surface; 
 a biasing member disposed within said body in operative association with a first end of said arm, wherein the biasing member biases the arm into said retracted position; 
 a frangible member disposed in association with a second end of said arm whereby shearing of said frangible member permits the biasing member to bias said arm into said retracted position; 
 a bore extending through said body for accommodating a wire-line, a slick-line, or a combination of both; 
   a sleeve having a first end wherein said tubular member is disposed within said first end; said sleeve further having an exterior groove for accommodating a control wire.   
     
     
         14 . A method for orienting and/or positioning a tool within a well-bore the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an interior of the well-bore with a latching member having a first end and a second end, the first end having a substantially slanted edge, said substantially slanted edge having a high end and a low end.   lowering said tool in operative engagement with an arm; and   engaging said arm with said first end of said latching member whereby contact between said arm and said first end causes rotation of the tool toward a selected orientation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of engaging said arm with said first end of said latching member comprises:
 engaging said arm with a notch in said low end of said latching member. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the arm is movable between an extended position for engagement with the substantially slanted edge and the notch and a retracted position for disengagement with the substantially slanted edge and the notch the method further comprising:
 moving the arm from the extended position to the retracted position; and 
 removing the tool from the well-bore. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of moving said arm from the extended position to the retracted position comprises:
 shearing of a frangible member in operative association with the arm thereby permitting a biasing member to bias the arm into the retracted position. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of providing the interior of the well-bore comprises:
 providing a sacrificial sub comprising the latching member into the well-bore wherein the step of removing the tool from the well-bore comprises retaining the sacrificial sub within the well-bore. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of removing the tool from the well-bore comprises retaining the sacrificial sub and the latching member within the well-bore.