Tubing joint and uses thereof

Abstract

There is provided a tubing joint for use in breaking up scale and debris in fluids circulating within an oil, gas, water or other well to prevent clogging. The tubing joint has a tubular that defines a bore through which fluids flow, and a projection coupled to the tubular and extending into the bore. In some cases, the projection comprises a plurality of projections. The projection forms a partial obstruction within the bore of the tubing joint, against which scale and debris impact as they are carried by the fluid through the bore. Generally, the scale and debris break apart into smaller pieces upon impact, preventing the scale and debris from building up and causing a clog within the oil, gas water or other well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tubing joint, comprising
 a downhole tubular, defining a bore therethrough; and   a projection coupled to the tubular and extending into the bore, the projection forming a partial obstruction of the bore, adapted to engage and break apart debris in a fluid flowing through the bore.   
     
     
         2 . The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the projection extends radially into the bore. 
     
     
         3 . The joint of  claim 2 , wherein the projection comprises a plurality of projections. 
     
     
         4 . The joint of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of projections is circumferentially displaced relative to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The joint of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of projections is longitudinally displaced relative to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The joint of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of projections is circumferentially and longitudinally displaced relative to each other to spiral within the bore. 
     
     
         7 . The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the projection extends into the bore between about 10 percent and about 30 percent of the diameter of the bore. 
     
     
         8 . The joint of  claim 7 , wherein the projection extends into the bore between about 15 percent and about 25 percent of the diameter of the bore. 
     
     
         9 . The joint of  claim 8 , wherein the projection extends into the bore about 20 percent of the diameter of the bore. 
     
     
         10 . The joint of  claim 9 , wherein the projection is substantially frustoconical-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The joint of  claim 9 , wherein the projection is substantially cone-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The joint of  claim 9 , wherein the projection is substantially wedge-tipped. 
     
     
         13 . The joint of  claim 9 , wherein the projection is substantially nub-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The joint of  claim 9 , wherein the projection is composed of tungsten carbide, carbon steel, stainless steel, hardened metal or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The joint of  claim 14 , wherein the projection is welded to the tubular. 
     
     
         16 . The joint of  claim 14 , wherein the projection is integral with the tubular. 
     
     
         17 . The joint of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular is a joint of tubing. 
     
     
         18 . The joint of  claim 17 , wherein the tubular has a pin fitting at a first end and a bell fitting at a second end. 
     
     
         19 . In a tubing joint, comprising:
 a downhole tubular, defining a bore therethrough; and   a projection coupled to the tubular and extending into the bore, the projection forming a partial obstruction of the bore, adapted to engage and break apart debris in a fluid flowing through the bore, the use of the tubing joint in a clean-out string to remove debris from a wellbore.   
     
     
         20 . The use of  claim 19 , wherein the debris comprises hard scale. 
     
     
         21 . In a tubing joint, comprising:
 a downhole tubular, defining a bore therethrough; and   a projection coupled to the tubular and extending into the bore, the projection forming a partial obstruction of the bore, adapted to engage and break apart debris in a fluid flowing through the bore, the use of the tubing joint to break up debris in a fluid in a well.   
     
     
         22 . The use of  claim 21 , wherein the debris comprises hard scale. 
     
     
         23 . A method for servicing a well having a defined wellbore containing debris, comprising:
 inserting a clean-out string into the wellbore, the clean-out string including a tubing joint comprising:
 a downhole tubular, defining a bore therethrough; and 
 a projection coupled to the tubular and extending into the bore, the projection forming a partial obstruction of the bore, adapted to engage and break apart debris in a fluid flowing through the bore; and 
   reverse circulating a fluid through the well; and   rotating the tubing joint to engage the debris with the projection within the bore,   wherein at least a portion of the debris is thereby broken apart into broken debris.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising carrying the broken debris out of the well with the fluid. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein inserting the clean-out string into the wellbore comprises positioning the tubing joint within the wellbore proximate the debris. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein inserting the clean-out string into the wellbore comprises positioning the tubing joint within the wellbore along a bottom portion of the wellbore. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the fluid is a drilling fluid or a well-servicing fluid. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the well is an oil well, a gas well, an oil and gas well, or a water well. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the debris comprises hard scale or well-bottom debris or both.