Downhole tool with self- orienting swivel and method of using same

Abstract

A self-orienting swivel of a downhole tool and method. The swivel includes a top sub, a bottom sub, and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, bearings, and a lock member. The bearing housing has an uphole end operatively connectable to a second end of the top sub and a passage therethrough shaped to receive a bearing end of the bottom sub. The bearings are rotatably positioned in the passage of the bearing housing between the bottom sub and an inner surface of the bearing housing. The lock member is positioned in the passage of the bearing housing, and is fixedly connectable about the bottom sub. The lock member is receivably positionable in a receptacle of the top sub and rotatably movable therein whereby the bottom sub is rotatably positioned about the top sub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-orienting swivel of a downhole tool, comprising:
 a top sub having a first end and a second end with a sub ring therebetween, the second end having a receptacle extending therein;   a bottom sub; and   a bearing assembly, comprising:
 a bearing housing having an uphole end operatively connectable to the second end of the top sub and a passage therethrough shaped to receive a bearing end of the bottom sub; 
 bearings rotatably positioned in the passage of the bearing housing between the bottom sub and an inner surface of the bearing housing; and 
 a lock member positioned in the passage of the bearing housing, the lock member fixedly connectable about a bearing end of the bottom sub, the lock member receivably positionable in the receptacle and rotatably movable therein whereby the bottom sub is rotatably positioned about the top sub. 
   
     
     
         2 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the top sub is fixedly connectable to a fixed portion of the downhole tool and a downhole end of the bottom sub is fixedly connectable to a rotating portion of the downhole tool. 
     
     
         3 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom sub comprises orientable weight bars, each of the orientable weight bars having a mass that is offset with respect to a longitudinal axis of the downhole tool. 
     
     
         4 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing is threadedly connectable to the second end of the top sub and advanceable thereon until positioned against the sub ring. 
     
     
         5 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 1 , wherein the sub ring has a larger outer diameter than the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 1 , wherein the bearings comprise circular bearings with holes therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 1 , wherein the bearings are axially stacked within the bearing housing about the bearing end of the bottom sub. 
     
     
         8 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom sub comprises a swivel housing, a swivel rod, and a wiper. 
     
     
         9 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 8 , wherein the swivel rod extends from the swivel housing, the swivel rod having a tip defining the bearing end of the bottom sub. 
     
     
         10 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 9 , wherein the swivel rod has a smaller diameter than the swivel housing, a step defined between the swivel rod and the swivel housing. 
     
     
         11 . The self-orienting swivel of  claim 10 , wherein the wiper comprises a ring-shaped member with a hold shaped to receive the swivel rod therethrough, the wiper positioned about the step between the bottom sub and the bearing housing. 
     
     
         12 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a fixed portion;   a rotating portion; and   the self-orienting swivel as in  claim 1 , the first end of the top sub connected to the fixed portion and the bottom sub connected to the rotating portion.   
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the fixed portion and the rotating portion comprise at least one downhole component. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one orientable weight bar. 
     
     
         15 . the downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one over the line weight bar. 
     
     
         16 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the rotating portion comprises a downhole component, the downhole component comprising at least one of an orientable weight bar, a collar locator, a perforating gun, a setting tool, and a plug assembly. 
     
     
         17 . A method of self-orienting a downhole tool, comprising:
 providing a self-orienting swivel as in  claim 1 ;   connecting the top sub of the self-orienting swivel to a fixed portion of the downhole tool;   connecting the bottom sub of the self-orienting swivel to a rotating portion of the downhole tool;   positioning the downhole tool in a wellbore; and   allowing the rotating portion of the downhole tool to rotate about the fixed portion with the self-orienting swivel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising connecting the top sub to an over the line weight bar, the over the line weight bar positioned about the fixed portion of the downhole tool. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising connecting the bottom sub to at least one downhole component, the at least one downhole component comprising at least one of an orientable weight bra, a collar locator, a perforating gun, a setting tool, and a plug assembly, the at least one downhole component positioned about the rotating portion of the downhole tool. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising self-orienting portions of the downhole tool by allowing the downhole tool to rotate such that heavier portions of the downhole tool gravitationally fall to a bottom of the wellbore.