Punching tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a punching tool for providing a hole or a dimple in a metal casing in a borehole. The punching tool comprises a tool body having an axial extension, and a punching unit connected with the tool body comprising: a fluid inlet, a punch movable between a retracted and a projected position and extending substantially radially in relation to the axial extension, and at least one hydraulic punch cylinder moving the punch between the retracted and the projected position. The present invention further relates to a method for providing a hole or a dimple in a metal casing downhole and to a method for installing a plug in an existing hole in the casing downhole.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A punching tool ( 1 ) for providing a hole ( 2   a ) or a dimple ( 2   b ) in a metal casing ( 3 ) in a borehole ( 4 ), comprising:
 a tool body ( 5 ) having an axial extension ( 6 ), and   a punching unit ( 11 ) connected with the tool body, comprising:
 a bore ( 27   a ) provided in the tool body, extending substantially radially in relation to the axial extension, 
 a fluid inlet ( 26 ) in fluid communication with the bore, and 
 a hydraulically activated punch ( 9 ) arranged in the bore, being movable between a retracted and a projected position, 
   
       wherein the hydraulically activated punch is moved into the projected position by injecting a fluid into the bore through the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         27 . A punching tool according to  claim 26 , further comprising two isolation devices ( 70 ) circumferenting the tool body and arranged spaced apart in the axial extension on opposite sides of the punching unit, the isolation devices being expandable from the tool body in a radial direction, thereby providing zonal isolation of a section ( 75 ) of the casing downhole, and wherein the punching tool further comprises one or more injection nozzles ( 80 ) for injecting a fluid into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices, the injection nozzle being arranged between the isolation devices. 
     
     
         28 . A punching tool according to  claim 27 , further comprising a pump ( 18 ) arranged in association with the tool body, the pump being connected to the fluid inlet for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the bore to move the hydraulically activated punch into the projected position. 
     
     
         29 . A punching tool according to  claim 28 , wherein the isolation devices are constituted by inflatable packers being inflated and expanded from the tool body by the pump supplying a fluid to the inflatable packers. 
     
     
         30 . A punching tool according to  claim 28 , wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the one or more injection nozzles and the pump is adapted to inject a fluid into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices through the one or more injection nozzles. 
     
     
         31 . A punching tool according to  claim 30 , further comprising an inlet ( 81 ) fluidly connecting the pump with an annulus ( 82 ) surrounding the punching tool, wherein the pump is adapted to draw fluid from the annulus and inject the fluid from the annulus through the one or more injection nozzles into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices. 
     
     
         32 . A punching tool according to  claim 26 , wherein the punching unit comprises an abutment ( 10 ) arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch around the tool body. 
     
     
         33 . A punching tool according to  claim 32 , wherein part of the hydraulically activated punch engages part of the abutment to control the radial movement between the retracted and the projected position of the hydraulically activated punch. 
     
     
         34 . A punching tool according to  claim 32 , wherein one of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment comprises one or more radially extending guide elements ( 50 ) and the other of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment comprises one or more radially extending tracks ( 51 ) being adapted to engage with the guide elements to control the radial movement between the retracted and the projected position of the hydraulically activated punch. 
     
     
         35 . A punching tool according to  claim 32 , wherein the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment define an expandable space ( 31 ). 
     
     
         36 . A punching tool according to  claim 26 , wherein the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment are arranged in a through-bore ( 27   b ) in the tool body. 
     
     
         37 . A punching tool according to  claim 36 , wherein the piston is movable in a hollow space ( 19   a,    19   b ) defined by the hydraulically activated punch or a base part ( 42 ) of the hydraulically activated punch, and wherein the piston is connected with the abutment through a piston rod ( 23 ). 
     
     
         38 . A punching tool according to  claim 36 , wherein one of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment is connected with the piston through a piston rod ( 23 ) and the other of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment has an end arranged inside the tool body, the end comprising a flange ( 22 ), and wherein a spring ( 24 ) is arranged between the piston and the flange. 
     
     
         39 . A punching tool according to  claim 26 , wherein a stop element ( 45 ) is arranged in connection with the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment to avoid separation of the hydraulically activated punch and the abutment. 
     
     
         40 . A punching tool according to  claim 26 , wherein the hydraulically activated punch is a punch adapted to install a plug ( 61 ) in an existing hole ( 2   c ) in the casing downhole to seal the existing hole. 
     
     
         41 . A punching tool according to  claim 40 , wherein the hydraulically activated punch is further adapted to hold on to the plug prior to installing the plug in the existing hole, to place the plug in the existing hole when the hydraulically activated punch is moved into a projected position, and to deform the plug when the hydraulically activated punch is moved into a fully projected position. 
     
     
         42 . A method for providing a hole or a dimple in a metal casing downhole, comprising the steps of:
 providing a punching tool according to  claim 26  in the metal casing downhole,   positioning the punching unit of the punching tool at a location where a hole or dimple is to be provided,   positioning the abutment arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch around the tool body so that it abuts a casing wall at a position circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch, and   moving the hydraulically activated punch radially from a retracted position to a projected position so that a hole or dimple is provided in the metal casing by the hydraulically activated punch in its projected position.   
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the hydraulically activated punch is moved radially to provide a hole in the metal casing, the method further comprising the steps of:
 expanding the isolation devices from the tool body in a radial direction, thereby providing zonal isolation of a section ( 75 ) of the casing downhole, and   injecting a fluid into the section of the casing being isolated by the isolation devices, thereby forcing a fluid through the hole provided in the casing.   
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the hydraulically activated punch is moved radially to provide a dimple in the metal casing, the method further comprising the step of:
 arranging an electronic device ( 60 ) in the dimple or hole, the electronic device comprising a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, a radio-frequency tag (RFT) and/or one or more sensors, such as a temperature sensor.   
     
     
         45 . A method for installing a plug, such as a Lee-plug, in an existing hole in the casing downhole, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a punching tool according to  claim 40 , in the casing downhole,   positioning the punching unit of the punching tool at a location opposite the existing hole,   positioning the abutment arranged circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch around the tool body so that it abuts a casing wall at a position circumferentially opposite the hydraulically activated punch,   moving the hydraulically activated punch radially from a retracted position to a projected position to place the plug in the existing hole, and   moving the hydraulically activated punch to a fully projected position, thereby deforming the plug to secure the plug and seal the existing hole.