Modular hydrojetting tool

Abstract

A modular hydrojetting tool for fracturing well formations. The tool has a plurality of jetting modules. Each jetting module has a plurality of jetting nozzles therein. A sleeve is disposed in each jetting module except the lowermost module, and each sleeve is moveable from a first position covering the jetting nozzles in the corresponding module to a second position covering the jetting nozzles in an adjacent module. Plugs may be pumped into the tool to move each sleeve sequentially, thereby operating the jetting modules sequentially.

1 . A hydrojetting tool for use in a wellbore, comprising a plurality of jetting modules, wherein: 
 each jetting module has jetting nozzles therein adapted for jetting fluid into a formation adjacent the wellbore; and    the jetting modules may be operated sequentially.    
   
   
       2 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the jetting modules has a sleeve therein moveable from a first position covering the jetting nozzles in the one jetting module to a second position covering the jetting nozzles in an adjacent jetting module.  
   
   
       3 . The tool of  claim 2  further comprising a plug which may be pumped into engagement with the sleeve for moving it from the first position to the second position.  
   
   
       4 . The tool of  claim 3  wherein the sleeve comprises an inwardly extending mandrel adapted for engagement by the plug.  
   
   
       5 . The tool of  claim 3  wherein the plug may be further pumped through the sleeve after moving the sleeve from the first position to the second position.  
   
   
       6 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein: 
 there are at least three jetting modules;    each of the jetting modules except one has a sleeve therein; and    each sleeve is moveable from a first position covering the jetting nozzles in the corresponding jetting module to a second position covering the jetting nozzles in an adjacent jetting module.    
   
   
       7 . The tool of  claim 6  further comprising a plurality of plugs, wherein each plug is adapted for engagement with a corresponding one of the sleeves for moving the sleeve from its first position to its second position.  
   
   
       8 . The tool of  claim 7  wherein the plugs may be further pumped through the corresponding sleeve after moving the sleeve from the first position to the second position.  
   
   
       9 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein the jetting module without a sleeve therein is a lowermost jetting module.  
   
   
       10 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the jetting nozzles are replaceable.  
   
   
       11 . A hydrojetting tool for use in a wellbore, comprising: 
 a plurality of jetting modules, wherein each jetting module has jetting nozzles therein adapted for jetting fluid into a formation adjacent the wellbore; and    a sleeve slidably disposed in all but one of the jetting modules, wherein each sleeve has a first position covering the jetting nozzles in the corresponding jetting module and is moveable to a second position uncovering the jetting nozzles in the corresponding jetting module and covering the jetting nozzles in an adjacent jetting module.    
   
   
       12 . The tool of  claim 11  wherein the sleeves may be moved sequentially such that the jetting modules may be operated sequentially.  
   
   
       13 . The tool of  claim 11  wherein the sleeves are moved downwardly from the first to second positions thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The tool of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of plugs, wherein each plug may be pumped into engagement with a corresponding one of the sleeves for moving the corresponding sleeve from its first position to its second position.  
   
   
       15 . The tool of  claim 14  wherein each sleeve comprises: 
 an upper sleeve portion which covers the jetting nozzles in the corresponding jetting module when the sleeve is in the first position;    a lower sleeve portion which covers the jetting nozzles in the adjacent jetting module when the sleeve is in the second position; and    an inwardly extending mandrel disposed between the upper and lower sleeve portions and adapted for engagement by the corresponding plug.    
   
   
       16 . The tool of  claim 15  wherein the mandrels define holes therein, the holes being progressively larger from a lowermost sleeve to an uppermost sleeve.  
   
   
       17 . The tool of  claim 14  wherein the plugs may be further pumped through the tool after moving the corresponding sleeve from its first position to its second position.  
   
   
       18 . The tool of  claim 11  wherein the jetting module not having a sleeve therein is a lowermost jetting module.  
   
   
       19 . The tool of  claim 18  wherein the lowermost jetting module has a shoulder therein for limiting movement of the sleeve in the adjacent jetting module.  
   
   
       20 . The tool of  claim 11  wherein the jetting nozzles are replaceable.  
   
   
       21 . A hydrojetting tool for use in a wellbore, comprising: 
 a plurality of jetting modules, wherein each jetting module has jetting nozzles therein adapted for jetting fluid into a formation adjacent the wellbore;    a sleeve slidably disposed in all but one of the jetting modules, wherein each sleeve has a first position covering the jetting nozzles in the corresponding jetting module and is moveable to a second position uncovering the jetting nozzles in the corresponding jetting module and covering the jetting nozzles in an adjacent jetting module; and    a plurality of plugs, wherein each plug is adapted for being pumped into engagement with a corresponding one of the sleeves and thereby moving the corresponding sleeve from its first position to its second position.    
   
   
       22 . The tool of  claim 21  wherein the sleeves may be engaged and moved sequentially such that the jetting modules may be operated sequentially.  
   
   
       23 . The tool of  claim 21  wherein the sleeves are moved downwardly from the first to second positions thereof.  
   
   
       24 . The tool of  claim 21  wherein each sleeve comprises: 
 an upper sleeve portion which covers the jetting nozzles in the corresponding jetting module when the sleeve is in the first position;    a lower sleeve portion which covers the jetting nozzles in the adjacent jetting module when the sleeve is in the second position; and    an inwardly extending mandrel disposed between the upper and lower sleeve portions and adapted for engagement by the corresponding plug.    
   
   
       25 . The tool of  claim 24  wherein the mandrels define holes therethrough, the holes being progressively larger from a lowermost sleeve to an uppermost sleeve.  
   
   
       26 . The tool of  claim 21  wherein the plugs may be further pumped through the tool after moving the corresponding sleeve from the first position to the second position.  
   
   
       27 . The tool of  claim 21  wherein the jetting module not having a sleeve therein is a lowermost jetting module.  
   
   
       28 . The tool of  claim 21  wherein the jetting nozzles are replaceable.  
   
   
       29 . A method of treating a formation located adjacent a wellbore, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a tool comprising first and second jetting modules, wherein each jetting module has at least one jetting nozzle therein adapted for jetting fluid into the formation;    positioning the tool adjacent the formation;    pumping fluid to the tool, wherein the fluid is jetted out the at least one jetting nozzle in the first jetting module but not out the at least one jetting nozzle in the second jetting module; and    pumping a plug to the tool, wherein fluid stops being jetted out the at least one jetting nozzle in the first jetting module and starts being jetted out the at least one jetting nozzle in the second jetting module.