Expandable downhole casing coupling locator tool

Abstract

A downhole locator apparatus, including a tool body having a central axis defined therethrough, and at least one locator lug radially expandable from the tool body, in which the at least one locator lug is configured to be received in an annular groove formed in an inner surface of a casing string, in which the at least one locator lug is configured to move radially between a retracted position and an expanded position.

1 . A downhole locator apparatus, comprising:
 a tool body having a central axis defined therethrough; and   at least one locator lug radially expandable from the tool body,   wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to be received in an annular groove formed in an inner surface of a casing string,   wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to move radially between a retracted position and an expanded position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuation mechanism configured to move the at least one locator lug between the retracted position and the expanded position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded position comprises a first expanded position and a second expanded position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein, in the first expanded position, the at least one locator lug is engaged with the inner surface of the casing string. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein, in the second expanded position, the at least one locator lug is engaged with the annular groove formed between a first length of casing and a second length of casing along the inner surface of the casing string. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locator lug is coupled to at least one movable arm. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one movable arm is coupled to the tool body and is radially expandable from the tool body. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the actuation mechanism is one of a hydraulic actuation mechanism, a mechanical actuation mechanism, an electro-hydraulic actuation mechanism, and an electro-mechanical actuation mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . A method of locating a casing coupling in a borehole, the method comprising:
 disposing a locator apparatus into a borehole, the locator apparatus comprising:
 a tool body having a central axis defined therethrough; and 
 at least one locator lug radially expandable from the tool body, 
 wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to be received in an annular groove formed in an inner surface of a casing string, 
 wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to move radially between a retracted position and an expanded position; and 
   moving the at least one locator lug between the retracted position and the expanded position to indicate a casing coupling location.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising actuating the locator apparatus at a predetermined location within the borehole. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein actuating the locator apparatus comprises moving the at least one locator lug from the retracted position to the expanded position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the expanded position comprises a first expanded position and a second expanded position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein, in the first expanded position, the at least one locator lug is engaged with the inner surface of the casing. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein, in the second expanded position, the at least one locator lug is engaged with the annular groove formed in the inner surface of the casing string. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising determining a length of the casing string within the borehole. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning the locator apparatus at a predetermined distance from a drill bit based on the determined length of the casing string within the borehole. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising deactuating the locator apparatus at a predetermined location within the borehole. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein deactuating the locator apparatus comprises moving the at least one locator lug from the expanded position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         19 . A method of window-milling and sidetracking, the method comprising:
 locating a position of a casing coupling in a borehole using a locator apparatus;   running a sidetracking assembly into the borehole, wherein the sidetracking assembly comprises:
 a setting tool; 
 a whipstock comprising a ramp face along an axial length thereof; and 
 a drilling assembly having a drill bit disposed on an end thereof; 
   actuating the setting tool and securing the sidetracking assembly in the borehole;   applying weight on the drilling assembly;   rotating and translating the drill bit downward along an axial length of the ramp face of the whipstock;   milling a window through the casing wall; and   drilling into the formation in a radially outward direction.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein locating a position of a casing coupling in a borehole using a locator apparatus comprises:
 disposing a locator apparatus into a borehole, the locator apparatus comprising:
 a tool body having a central axis defined therethrough; and 
 at least one locator lug radially expandable from the tool body, 
 wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to be received in an annular groove formed in an inner surface of a casing string, 
 wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to move radially between a retracted position and an expanded position; and 
   moving the at least one locator lug between the retracted position and the expanded position to indicate a casing coupling location.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising actuating the locator apparatus at a predetermined location within the borehole. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein actuating the locator apparatus comprises moving the at least one locator lug from the retracted position to the expanded position. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising orienting the whipstock in a desired azimuthal direction. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the expanded position comprises a first expanded position and a second expanded position. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein, in the first expanded position, the at least one locator lug is engaged with the inner surface of the casing. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein, in the second expanded position, the at least one locator lug is engaged with the annular groove formed in the inner surface of the casing. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising determining a length of the casing string within the borehole. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising positioning the locator apparatus at a predetermined distance from the drill bit based on the determined length of the casing string within the borehole. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising deactuating the locator apparatus at a predetermined location within the borehole. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein deactuating the locator apparatus comprises moving the at least one locator lug from the expanded position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         31 . A method of section milling, the method comprising:
 locating a position of a casing coupling in a borehole using a locator apparatus;   running a section milling tool in to the borehole;   cutting a section of the casing;   setting a cement plug in a sectioned portion of the casing; and   drilling a deviated hole using a directional drilling assembly.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein locating a position of a casing coupling in a borehole using a locator apparatus comprises:
 disposing a locator apparatus into a borehole, the locator apparatus comprising:
 a tool body having a central axis defined therethrough; and 
 at least one locator lug radially expandable from the tool body, 
 wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to be received in an annular groove formed in an inner surface of a casing string, 
 wherein the at least one locator lug is configured to move radially between a retracted position and an expanded position; and 
   moving the at least one locator lug between the retracted position and the expanded position to indicate a casing coupling location.