Method and Apparatus for Completing Wells

Abstract

An apparatus for performing electrical discharge machining within a well, may include an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end and defining an interior cavity; and at least one electrode positioned within the elongated body, wherein the apparatus is configured to be connected to a power supply that enables electrical current to be supplied to the electrode to mine material from a production casing wall inside of a wellbore.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for performing electrical discharge machining within a well, comprising:
 an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end and defining an interior cavity; and   at least one electrode positioned within the elongated body,   wherein the apparatus is configured to be connected to a power supply that enables electrical current to be supplied to the electrode to mine material from a production casing wall inside of a wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is radially adjustable relative to the elongated body. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another in the elongated body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one centralizer provided within the elongated body,
 wherein the centralizer is configured to stabilize the elongated body within the production casing.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the centralizer is radially adjustable relative to the elongated body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one centralizer comprises a plurality of centralizers that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another in the elongated body. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between a first centralizer and a second centralizer on the elongated body,
 wherein the first and second centralizers are configured to stabilize the elongated body within the production casing.   
     
     
         8 . A system for performing electrical discharge machining within a well, comprising:
 a well completion device, comprising:
 an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end and defining an interior cavity; and 
 at least one electrode positioned within the elongated body, 
   a power supply operatively connected to the well completion device; and   a control system operatively connected to the well completion device to operate the well completion device,   wherein the apparatus is configured to be connected to a power supply that enables electrical current to be supplied to the electrode to mine material from a production casing wall inside of a wellbore.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an isolation tool connected to the well completion device,
 wherein the isolation tool is configured to isolate the well completion device from debris that may fall into the wellbore.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a half-moon swivel connected to the well completion device to stabilize the well completion device within the production casing. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the electrode is radially adjustable relative to the elongated body. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one centralizer provided within the elongated body,
 wherein the centralizer is configured to stabilize the elongated body within the production casing.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the centralizer is radially adjustable relative to the elongated body. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between a first centralizer and a second centralizer on the elongated body,
 wherein the first and second centralizers are configured to stabilize the elongated body within the production casing.   
     
     
         15 . A method of performing electrical discharge machining within a well, comprising:
 (a) inserting a well completion device into a production casing positioned within a wellbore, the well completion tool comprising an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end and defining an interior cavity, and at least one electrode positioned within the elongated body;   (b) bringing the at least one electrode adjacent an inner surface of the production casing;   (c) generating an electrical spark between the at least one electrode and the inner surface of the production casing to mine material from the production casing;   (d) ceasing generation of the electrical spark between the at least one electrode and the inner surface of the production casing;   (e) washing the production casing with water to clean the area of the production casing that is being mined; and   (f) repeating steps (c)-(e) until an aperture is created within the production casing.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the water is fresh water or brine water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (b) comprises extending the at least one electrode from the elongated body or moving the elongated body adjacent the inner surface of the production casing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, before step (b), stabilizing the well completion device within the production casing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the well completion device is stabilized in the production casing using at least one centralizer that radially extends from the elongated body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning an isolation tool on top of the well completion device to prevent debris from an opening of the wellbore from damaging the well completion device.