System, apparatus and method for abrasive jet fluid cutting

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for abrasive jet fluid cutting is provided wherein a modular downhole cutting tool provides Z-Axis, X-Axis, W-Rotation, and Y-Angle manipulations individually or simultaneously and provides the ability to cut one or more windows or shapes in a target (e.g. casing, formation structure, etc.) and extend the cutting tool (or other device) through the window or shape to perform further work.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of cutting through one or more of a tubular/casing, a formation rock, or an obstruction, the method comprising the steps of:
 lowering a rigless-abrasive-jet-cutting-tool into a well bore, said rigless-abrasive-jet-cutting-tool having a jet-nozzle;   positioning said jet-nozzle adjacent to a target, said target the well bore, the tubular/casing, the formation rock, or the obstruction;   pumping a motive fluid containing abrasives through said jet-nozzle such that said motive fluid impacts a first surface of said target;   moving said jet-nozzle under computer control in at least a Z-axis, a W-rotation, and a X-axis to cut or erode a pre-determined shape or window profile into or through said target;   wherein said Z-axis is generally aligned with a vertical axis of said well bore;   wherein said W-rotation is generally perpendicular to said Z-axis and is the 360-degree rotation about said Z-axis;   wherein said X-axis is generally perpendicular to said Z-axis and is radial movement towards or away from said Z-axis; and   wherein said X-axis movement of said jet-nozzle moves said jet-nozzle at least closer to said first surface than without said X-axis movement.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said moving step additionally comprises moving said jet-nozzle in a Y-axis angle, said Y-axis angle the angle said jet-nozzle is tilted with respect to said Z-axis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said X-axis movement is coupled to said Y-axis angle such that said Y-axis angle dictates said X-axis movement. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein movement along each of said Z-axis, said X-axis, said Y-rotation, and said Y-axis angle are independent of each other. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said Y-axis angle is at least from 80° to 190°, wherein 0° is parallel to said Z-axis and pointed up said well bore and 180° is parallel to said Z-axis and pointed down said well bore. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-determined shape or window profile is three-dimensional. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said X-axis movement moves said jet-nozzle beyond said first surface of said target after said first surface of said target has been eroded or cut by said motive fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said rigless-abrasive-jet-cutting-tool additionally comprises a probe, said probe deployable with said jet-nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said X-axis movement is accomplished with a tube carrier 
     
     
         10 . A method of probing one or more of a tubular/casing, a formation rock, or an obstruction, the method comprising the steps of:
 lowering a rigless-abrasive-jet-cutting-tool into a well bore, said rigless-abrasive-jet-cutting-tool having a probe;   positioning said probe adjacent to a target, said target the well bore, the tubular/casing, the formation rock, or the obstruction via computer control through movement in at least a Z-axis, a W-rotation, and a X-axis;   wherein said Z-axis is generally aligned with a vertical axis of said well bore;   wherein said W-rotation is generally perpendicular to said Z-axis and is the 360-degree rotation about said Z-axis;   wherein said X-axis is generally perpendicular to said Z-axis and is radial movement towards or away from said Z-axis; and   wherein said X-axis movement of said probe moves said probe at least closer to said first surface than without said X-axis movement.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said X-axis movement moves said probe beyond said first surface of said target after said first surface of said target has been eroded or cut away. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said X-axis movement is accomplished with a tube carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said moving step additionally comprises moving said probe in a Y-axis angle, said Y-axis angle the angle said probe is tilted with respect to said Z-axis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said X-axis movement is coupled to said Y-axis angle such that said Y-axis angle dictates said X-axis movement. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein movement along each of said Z-axis, said X-axis, said Y-rotation, and said Y-axis angle are independent of each other. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said Y-axis angle is at least from 80° to 190°, wherein 0° is parallel to said Z-axis and pointed up said well bore and 180° is parallel to said Z-axis and pointed down said well bore.