Jetting tool for well cleaning

Abstract

The invention provides for a jetting tool for use with a drillstring. The tool generally includes a tubular main body having an inlet and an outlet arranged in fluid communication via a fluid conduit, the main body defining at least one aperture along its length. The tool also includes an elongate outer ring assembly configured for fitment about the main body to enclose the at least one aperture. This ring assembly defines an upper circumferential fluid port and a lower circumferential fluid port, each port configured to operatively direct fluid towards the other. The tool also typically includes a valve assembly receivable inside the fluid conduit, the valve assembly displaceable between a drilling position, wherein fluid is able to pass from the inlet to the outlet via the fluid conduit, and a jetting position, in which fluid is diverted from the inlet to the upper and lower fluid ports via the aperture. The valve assembly is configured to displace to the drilling position upon receiving an activator body via pressurised fluid through the drillstring.

1 . A jetting tool for use with a drillstring, the tool including:
 a body assembly having an inlet for coupling to the drillstring to allow fluid to be supplied therefrom, the body assembly defining first and second substantially circumferential fluid ports, the first and second fluid ports being spaced apart along the body assembly, and each port being configured to operatively direct the fluid outwardly from the body assembly and towards the other port.   
     
     
         2 . A jetting tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the body assembly includes:
 a tubular body including:
 the inlet; and 
 first and second sets of circumferentially spaced apertures; and, first and second ring bodies, each ring body being attached to the tubular body to thereby define the first and second substantially circumferential fluid ports. 
   
     
     
         3 . A jetting tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second fluid ports are defined by a gap between shoulders of the tubular body and the first and second ring bodies. 
     
     
         4 . A jetting tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the body assembly includes a third set of circumferentially spaced apertures arranged between the first and second sets of circumferentially spaced apertures. 
     
     
         5 . A jetting tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the body assembly includes:
 a tubular main body having an inlet and an outlet arranged in fluid communication via a fluid conduit, the main body defining at least one aperture along its length; and,   an elongate outer ring assembly configured for fitment about the main body to enclose the at least one aperture, the ring assembly defining an upper circumferential fluid port and a lower circumferential fluid port, each port configured to operatively direct fluid towards the other.   
     
     
         6 . A jetting tool according to  claim 5 , wherein the tool includes:
 a valve assembly receivable inside the fluid conduit, the valve assembly being displaceable between a drilling position, wherein fluid is able to pass from the inlet to the outlet via the fluid conduit, and a jetting position, in which fluid is diverted from the inlet to the upper and lower fluid ports via the aperture, the valve assembly configured to displace to the drilling position upon receiving an activator body via pressurised fluid through the drillstring.   
     
     
         7 . The jetting tool of  claim 5   6  or  claim 7 , wherein the at least one aperture includes a plurality of slots circumferentially spaced about a portion of the main body. 
     
     
         8 . The jetting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the main body includes a flange for positioning the outer ring assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The jetting tool of  claim 5 , which includes a fluid tight seal to prevent fluid leakage between the main body and the outer ring assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The jetting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the circumferential fluid ports include slots around a respective upper and lower circumference of the ring assembly, the slots being separated by a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         11 . The jetting tool of  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of  10 cm to  80 cm. 
     
     
         12 . The jetting tool of  claim 6 , wherein the valve assembly includes a hollow elongate stem shaped and dimensioned for coaxial fitment into the fluid conduit, the stem having a receptacle for receiving the activator body. 
     
     
         13 . The jetting tool of  claim 12 , wherein the receptacle is positioned towards a lower end of the stem to facilitate in uniform fluid dispersal between the fluid ports when the valve assembly is in the jetting position. 
     
     
         14 . The jetting tool of  claim 6 , which includes biasing means configured to bias the valve assembly into the drilling position. 
     
     
         15 . The jetting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the biasing means includes a spring. 
     
     
         16 . The jetting tool of  claim 6 , which includes a valve seal to prevent leakage between the valve assembly and the main body. 
     
     
         17 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The jetting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential fluid ports are separated by a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         27 . The jetting tool of  claim 26 , wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of 10 cm to 80 cm. 
     
     
         28 . The jetting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential fluid ports are shaped and configured so that fluid is ejected therefrom at an angle relative to the main body. 
     
     
         29 . The jetting tool of  claim 28 , wherein the angle is in the range of 10° to 85°. 
     
     
         30 . A jetting tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential fluid ports are arranged to define a jetting zone positioned between the circumferential fluid ports. 
     
     
         31 . A jetting tool for use with a drillstring, the tool including:
 a tubular main body having an inlet and an outlet arranged in fluid communication via a fluid conduit, the main body defining at least one aperture along its length;   an elongate outer ring assembly configured for fitment about the main body to enclose the at least one aperture, the ring assembly defining an upper circumferential fluid port and a lower circumferential fluid port, each port configured to operatively direct fluid towards the other;   a valve assembly receivable inside the fluid conduit, the valve assembly displaceable between a drilling position, wherein fluid is able to pass from the inlet to the outlet via the fluid conduit, and a jetting position, in which fluid is diverted from the inlet to the upper and lower fluid ports via the aperture, the valve assembly configured to displace to the drilling position upon receiving an activator body via pressurised fluid through the drillstring.