Subterranean Jetting Tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a jetting tool and method useful for inserting coiled or stick tubing further into subterranean wells, to permit additional production capacity to be realized from the well. The tool is located near a distal end of the tubing and can be used to generate and insertion thrust that facilitates insertion of the tubing.

1 . A jetting tool for inserting a tubing work string into a subterranean well, the jetting tool sized for insertion into the subterranean well and comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body having a proximal and a distal end, the distal end of the jetting tool for insertion into the subterranean well, the proximal end configured for attachment to the tubing work string;   an interior supply channel within the body, the interior supply channel configured to receive a flow from the tubing work string; and   a plurality of jets disposed at an exterior surface of the generally cylindrical body, the jets configured to receive the flow from the interior channel of the jetting tool,
 the plurality of jets angled to impart an insertion thrust to the tubing work string in the distal direction when a flow from the interior channel of the jetting tool exits the plurality of jets in a direction toward the tubing work string. 
   
     
     
         2 . The jetting tool of  claim 1  wherein the jets have a discharge angle of between about 15 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The jetting tool of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of jets consists of between about 4 and about 8 jets. 
     
     
         4 . The jetting tool of  claim 1  wherein an outer diameter of the body of the jetting tool is nominally between about 2 and about 4 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The jetting tool of  claim 5  wherein the inside diameter of the jets is between about ⅛ and ½ inch. 
     
     
         6 . The jetting tool of  claim 1  wherein the jets have an inside diameter of not more than about ⅜ of an inch. 
     
     
         7 . The jetting tool of  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the jetting tool is configured for attachment to a perforating gun. 
     
     
         8 . The jetting tool of  claim 1  wherein the jets are arranged in two rows. 
     
     
         9 . The jetting tool of  claim 8  wherein each row has four jets. 
     
     
         10 . A method of facilitating the insertion of a tubing work string into a subterranean well, the method including the steps of:
 positioning a jetting tool at or near a distal end of the tubing work string;   inserting the distal end of the tubing work string through a surface well control head of the subterranean well;   establishing a flow through the tubing work string into an interior of the jetting tool, such that the flow discharges the exterior of the jetting tool through a plurality of jets in the jetting tool;   directing the discharge flow from the plurality of jets of the jetting tool towards the surface well control head, thereby producing an insertion thrust that further advances the tubing work string into the subterranean well.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a flow of about 3 barrels/minute of flow establishes a thrust of about 4800 lb/square foot. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the flow is between about 0.5 and 5 barrels per minute. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a discharge velocity of the flow is between about 20 and 60 feet per second. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a discharge velocity of the flow is at least about 60 feet per second. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein use of the jetting tool overcomes sufficient frictional resistance to enable at least an additional 5 to 15% of additional tubing work string length to be inserted into the subterranean well. 
     
     
         16 . A ported nipple for an in-ground production well, the ported nipple configured to be mounted at a distal end of a tubing work string, the ported nipple including discharge jets, the improvement comprising:
 angling the discharge jets at an angle of between 15 and 35 degrees toward a surface well control head of the production well, such that a flow exiting the discharge jets imparts an insertion thrust to the tubing work string.