Multi-function downhole tool

Abstract

A multi-function downhole apparatus is described which comprises a tubular main body having at least one recess formed in its outer surface. The recess is adapted to receive any of a set of interchangeable tool elements, which include stabiliser blades of different radial sizes, cleaning elements, roller reaming tool elements, a hole opener tool element, and a drilling casing shoe element. In particular, the apparatus allows drilling operations and wellbore cleaning operations to be carried out using the same tool body.

1 . A multi-function downhole apparatus comprising: a tubular main body having at least one recess formed in an outer surface of the body, the recess adapted to receive each of a set of interchangeable tool elements, wherein the set of interchangeable tool elements comprises any two of a first stabiliser blade, a second stabiliser blade, a cleaning element, a roller reaming tool element, a hole opener tool element, and a drilling casing shoe element.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the recess is adapted to receive a first stabiliser blade of a first radial dimension to provide stabilising apparatus for use in a wellbore of a first dimension, and a second stabiliser blade of a second radial dimension to provide stabilising apparatus for use in a wellbore of a second dimension.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the recess is adapted to receive a first stabiliser blade to provide stabilising apparatus for a first wellbore dimension, and a cleaning element to provide a wellbore clean-up apparatus.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the body is provided with a bore aligned on an attachment axis inclined to a radial axis of the tubular body.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a first set of recesses circumferentially distributed around the body.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a second set of recesses circumferentially distributed around the body in a location longitudinally displaced from the first set of recesses.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second set of recesses is rotationally offset with respect to the first set of recesses.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body of is provided with a plurality of elongate ribs upstanding from an outer surface of the main body and extending at least part way along a length thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the recess is formed in an outer surface of the rib.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein adjacent pairs of ribs define a flow channel therebetween for flow of a downhole medium along the body.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the tubular body further comprises at least one flow guide located adjacent an end of the channel, the flow guide and the channel together defining a flow path for flow of a downhole medium along the body.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the ribs are aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the ribs are shaped such that at least one dimension of each channel is non-uniform.  
   
   
       14 . A downhole apparatus comprising: 
 a tubular main body;    at least one longitudinal recess formed in an outer surface of the body;    a removable tool element received in the recess and upstanding from the outer surface of the main body;    wherein the removable tool element has an outer surface comprising an upper portion and a side wall portion, and the removable tool element is attached to the main body via an attachment mechanism extending from the side wall portion, through the removable tool element, and into the main body.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a bore aligned on an attachment axis inclined to a radial axis of the tubular body.  
   
   
       16 . A kit of parts for the assembly of a downhole tool, the kit of parts comprising: a tubular main body having at least one recess formed in an outer surface of the body; and a set of interchangeable tool elements comprising any two of a first stabiliser blade, a second stabiliser blade, a cleaning element, a magnetic debris collector, a roller reaming tool element, a hole opener tool element, a drilling casing shoe element; wherein the recess is adapted to receive one of the set of interchangeable tool elements, to provide a downhole tool having a first operating configuration, and is adapted to receive another of the set of interchangeable tool elements, to provide a downhole tool having a second operating configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The kit of parts as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the first operating configuration is for a drilling operation, and the second operating configuration is for a wellbore clean up operation.  
   
   
       18 . A method of configuring a multi-function downhole apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: 
 Removing a first tool element from a recess in a tubular body;    Removably attaching a second tool element, different from the first, to the recess in the tubular body;    Wherein the first and second tool elements are any two selected from a first stabiliser blade, a second stabiliser blade, a cleaning element, a magnetic debris collector, a roller reaming tool element, a hole opener tool element, a drilling casing shoe element.    
   
   
       19 . A method of configuring a downhole apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: 
 Removing a first tool element from a recess in a tubular body;    Removably attaching a second tool element to the recess in the tubular body;    Wherein the first tool element is a stabiliser blade having a first radial dimension for running in a wellbore of first inner diameter, and the second tool element is a stabiliser blade having a second radial dimension, different from the first, for running in a wellbore of second inner diameter.