Nozzle selective perforating jet assembly

Abstract

A downhole hydraulic tool employing multiple nozzles in a selectable fashion from an oilfield surface. At least one of the nozzles of the tool is equipped with a burst disk such that fluid pressure directed from the surface may be utilized in activating the nozzle. The pressure may be driven to exceed a predetermined level for sake of the activating by way of sealing off access to other nozzle(s) therebelow, for example, by way of standard ball drop techniques. Thus, nozzle selectivity may be taken advantage of when a first nozzle wears out without requiring time consuming removal of the tool from the well for sake of remedial repairs or replacement.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A nozzle selective jetting tool comprising:
 a first jetting nozzle at a first location of the tool for a first perforating application; and   a second jetting nozzle at a second location of the tool for a subsequent perforating application, the second jetting nozzle inoperable in a first configuration and operable in a second configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing location in the central channel and between said nozzles for sealably accommodating a projectile to close channel access to said first nozzle and thereby configuring the second jetting nozzle in the second configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein said sealing location is a valve seat and the projectile is a ball. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first perforating application takes place at a pressure below that of the subsequent perforating application. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said first nozzle is located downhole of said second nozzle when the tool is positioned in a well for the perforating applications. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said first configuration comprises a burst disk coupled to said second nozzle for occluding access thereto when pressure in a central channel of the tool is below a predetermined level and said second configuration comprises a ruptured burst disk when the pressure is above the predetermined level. 
     
     
         7 . A hydraulic bottom hole tool assembly for disposal in a well, the assembly comprising:
 a jetting tool accommodating first and second selectively employable nozzles, at least one of the nozzles having selective hydraulic access thereto via a central channel of the tool, wherein the selective access comprises one of a burst disk and a soluble plug selectively occluding a flow path of the nozzle; and   a hydraulic line conveyance in fluid communication with the central channel for directing an application through the other nozzle when channel pressure therein is below the predetermined level.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined level is a first predetermined level, the assembly further comprising a third nozzle of said tool having another burst disk for allowing hydraulic access thereto via the central channel when pressure therein exceeds a second predetermined level greater than the first predetermined level. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said hydraulic line conveyance is selected from a group consisting of coiled tubing and drill pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the jetting tool is a perforating tool for perforating a wall of the well. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the wall is selected from a group consisting of a casing, a liner and an open-hole formation. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an anchor segment; and   a reverse circulation segment.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said anchor segment includes a compression set anchor for anchoring the assembly in advance of perforating. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a segment selected from a group consisting of a swivel, an eccentric weight and an isolation device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of selectively employing jetting nozzles of a tool disposed in a well at an oilfield, the method comprising:
 performing a hydraulic application through a first nozzle at a first location of the tool;   hydraulically closing off access to the first nozzle;   opening a second nozzle at a second location of the tool; and   performing a second hydraulic application through the second nozzle.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein opening comprises initiating a ball drop technique from a surface of the oilfield to initiate said closing and initiating a one of rupturing a burst disk and dissolving a soluble plug. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein performing comprises performing a perforating application directed at a wall of the well. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the applications is directed at a contingent emergent circumstance. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising performing a fracturing application through an assembly accommodating the tool while the tool remains in the well. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising performing a cleanout application through an assembly accommodating the tool while the tool remains in the well.