Downhole tool for automatic tubular cutting

Abstract

Systems and methods for downhole tubular cutting applications can include a cutting tool that with a cutting head, an anchor module, and a hydraulic module that actuates both. Arms of the anchor module open to an inner surface of a tube prior to blades of the cutting head opening to the inner surface. The blades can be operated by a piston. The piston can include a detent that travels across an actuation profile. This can allow a processor to track the cutting position. The processor can adjust the rotational speed of the blades based on feedback from the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for cutting tubing in a wellbore, comprising:
 deploying a tool into the wellbore;   causing anchor arms of an anchor module to extend outward to an inner wall of tubing;   rotating a cutting head with an orientation coincident to an axis of the tubing, wherein the cutting head includes a plurality of cutting elements, wherein the anchor module is positioned above the cutting head inside the wellbore; and   forcing the cutting elements outward using an actuation mechanism that is connected to a pressurized piston disposed within a piston housing, wherein the cutting elements gradually expand radially as material of the tubing is cut away,   wherein adjusting hydraulic pressure to the cutting head and rotation speed of the cutting head based on torque feedback of the cutting elements.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein supplying hydraulic fluid causes the anchor arms to extend outward to the inner wall before the cutting elements reach the inner wall. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor arms touching the inner wall causes the hydraulic fluid to cease. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a hydraulic line is shared between the cutting head and the anchor module for actuating both the cutting elements and the anchor arms, and wherein the hydraulic pressure is adjusted based on the torque feedback differing from a target torque. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising supplying compensating hydraulic fluid from a rotary module to compensate for internal pressure in the wellbore. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating a near bit active stabilizer or a centralizer to centralize the cutting head within the tubing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized piston includes a detent that travels across an actuation profile, providing a pressure signature used by a processor to determine cutting progress. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising applying additional hydraulic pressure to overcome the actuation profile, which comprises a series of ridges on an inside of housing of the cutting head. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting head includes a bumper on a cutting knife, wherein the bumper engages the tubing to prevent further cutting by the cutting knife. 
     
     
         10 . A downhole tool for tubular cutting, comprising:
 a cutting head having cutting elements, wherein the cutting head is configured to rotate with an orientation coincident to an axis of tubing, wherein a pressurized piston actuates to cause the cutting elements gradually expand radially as material of the tubing is cut away;   an anchor module positioned above the cutting head, wherein the anchor module includes anchor arms that extend outward to an inner wall of tubing; and   a hydraulic module that supplies hydraulic fluid to the cutting head and anchor module, causing the anchor arms and cutting elements to actuate.   
     
     
         11 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , wherein supplying the hydraulic fluid causes the anchor arms to extend outward to the inner wall before the cutting elements reach the inner wall. 
     
     
         12 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the anchor arms engage the inner wall; the cutting head rotates; and the cutter elements open. 
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , further comprising a hydraulic line that is shared between the cutting head and the anchor module. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , further comprising a compensator module that is configured to supply compensating hydraulic fluid to a rotary module to compensate for internal pressure in the wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting head includes an active stabilizer or a centralizer configured to centralize the cutting head within the tubing. 
     
     
         16 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , wherein the pressurized piston includes a detent that travels across an actuation profile, providing a pressure signature used by a processor to determine cutting progress. 
     
     
         17 . The downhole tool of  claim 16 , wherein additional hydraulic pressure is applied to overcome the actuation profile, which comprises a series of grooves on an inside of housing of the cutting head. 
     
     
         18 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting elements include a bumper and a cutting knife, wherein the bumper is configured to engage the tubing to prevent further cutting by the cutting knife. 
     
     
         19 . The downhole tool of  claim 18 , wherein the cutting elements include multiple insert locations, wherein the insert locations are staggered or overlapped. 
     
     
         20 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , wherein anchor pads on the cutting head slid in one direction of rotation but grip in the opposite direction of rotation.