MECHANICAL FISHING TOOL WITH A BUILT-IN CAMERA

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to fishing tools for the recovery of objects from wellbores.

BACKGROUND

In the oil and gas industry, hydrocarbon fluids are commonly extracted from hydrocarbon reservoirs. These hydrocarbon reservoirs are often located far below the surface of the earth in porous rock formations. In order to access the hydrocarbon fluids, wells are drilled into the formations. In the course of drilling and completing wellbores to produce oil and gas from subterranean reservoirs, or while stimulating and producing hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs, it is not uncommon for objects to be unintentionally dropped into the wellbore from the surface or for downhole tools and equipment to become separated from their conveyor. When this occurs, it is frequently necessary to retrieve the dropped object or separated downhole tools from the wellbore before normal drilling, completing, stimulating, or producing operations may continue. In the petroleum engineering context, this process of retrieval is commonly called “fishing,” and the equipment or tools to be retrieved are commonly called “fish.” For the safety, integrity, and accessibility of the wellbore for future well intervention jobs, engineers conduct fishing operations to retrieve the dropped object or separated downhole tools with the help of fishing tools.

SUMMARY

Some fishing tools contain an overshot grapple configured to be fixedly attached to the fish by surrounding the fish and gripping it from the outside. The grip is strong enough to carry the fish up the wellbore to the surface. However, fishing operations performed using existing overshot grapple fishing tools are costly and time-consuming due to the lack of real-time visual information about the shape, location, and orientation of the fish, particularly within the cavity of the overshot grapple. Therefore, trial and error methods are often required to adequately attach the overshot grapple to the fish and to carry the fish to the surface.

Accordingly, a need exists for overshot grapple fishing tools that provide real-time visual information about the shape, location, and orientation of the fish, particularly within the cavity of the overshot grapple. The present disclosure addresses this need by providing an overshot grapple fishing tool including a camera configured to image at least a portion of the cavity of the grapple section of the fishing tool. This camera provides engineers conducting fishing operations with real-time information about the shape, location, and orientation of the fish as it is being engaged by the overshot grapple of the fishing tool. Accordingly, fishing operations performed using the fishing tools described herein may be conducted in an efficient manner relative to those performed using conventional overshot grapple fishing tools.

However, it is not uncommon for a clear view of a fish to be obstructed by crude or other debris that limits the usefulness of a camera employed on the fishing tool. Therefore, embodiments of the fishing tools of the present disclosure may be configured to pump fluid into the cavity of the grapple section of the fishing tool, thereby removing potential crude and/or debris from the cavity of the grapple section and in the region above the fish. This design allows the image quality of the fish may be maintained despite poor visibility conditions in the wellbore. As such, the overshot grapple fishing tools of the present disclosure provide engineers with a clear view of the fish as the grapple engages and fixedly attaches to the fish, thereby allowing for efficient fishing operations under a variety of downhole conditions.

Moreover, embodiments of the fishing tools of the present disclosure may be provided with a fluid passage configured to cause fluid to flow radially inwards toward the lens of the camera. In embodiments, the fluid passage is defined by an annular region of the main body that is fluidly connected to the cavity of the grapple section. The fluid passage may be further defined by a fluid barrier positioned at the proximal end of the grapple section and configured to redirect fluid flowing within the annular region of the main body radially inwards toward the lens of the camera and into the cavity of the grapple section. In this manner, the fluid may clean the lens of the camera and improve the ability of the camera to image the cavity of the grapple section as well as the fish as the fish is being engaged by the overshot grapple of the fishing tool. As such, in addition to removing obstructing crude and other debris from the cavity of the grapple section, the fishing tools of the present disclosure may further improve the image quality of the camera by cleaning the lens of the camera during fishing operations.

The present disclosure is also directed to fishing methods and systems that utilize the fishing tools described herein.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a fishing tool comprises a main body, a grapple section, and a camera. The grapple section comprises: a proximal end connected to the main body; a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end comprising an opening that extends into a cavity of the grapple section; and grapple segments positioned on an interior wall of the cavity of the grapple section. The camera is fixedly mounted to the main body and configured to image at least a portion of the cavity of the grapple section.

A second aspect includes the first aspect, further comprising a fluid passage configured to cause fluid to flow radially inwards toward a lens of the camera.

A third aspect includes the second aspect, wherein the fluid passage is defined by: an annular region of the main body fluidly connected to the cavity of the grapple section at the proximal end of the grapple section; and a fluid barrier positioned at the proximal end of the grapple section and configured to redirect fluid flowing within the annular region of the main body radially inwards toward the lens of the camera and into the cavity of the grapple section

A fourth aspect includes the third aspect, wherein: the main body comprises a housing having a first longitudinal axis and a central member positioned within the housing and having a second longitudinal axis coaxial with the first longitudinal axis, wherein the camera is fixedly mounted to the central member; the annular region of the main body is between the central member and the housing; and the central member comprises an outer wall comprising a plurality of fluid outlet ports that fluidly connect an interior chamber of the central member with the annular region of the main body.

A fifth aspect includes the first aspect, wherein the main body comprises: a housing having a first longitudinal axis; a central member positioned within the housing and having a second longitudinal axis coaxial with the first longitudinal axis, wherein the camera is fixedly mounted to the central member; and an annular region between the central member and the housing

A sixth aspect includes the fifth aspect, wherein the central member comprises an outer wall comprising a plurality of fluid outlet ports that fluidly connect an interior chamber of the central member with the annular region.

A seventh aspect includes the sixth aspect, wherein the fishing tool is configured for fluid to flow: from the interior chamber of the central member through the plurality of fluid outlet ports into the annular region; within the annular region toward the proximal end of the grapple section; and into the cavity of the grapple section

An eighth aspect includes any one of the first through seventh aspects, wherein the grapple section is reverse-tapered such that an internal diameter of the distal end of the grapple section is greater than an internal diameter of the proximal end of the grapple section.

A ninth aspect includes the eighth aspect, wherein the grapple segments are helically tapered.

A tenth aspect includes any one of the first through seventh aspects, wherein the grapple section is substantially cylindrical.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a fishing method comprises attaching, to a distal end of a conveyor, a fishing tool comprising a main body, a grapple section, and a camera. The grapple section comprises: a proximal end connected to the main body; a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end comprising an opening that extends into a cavity of the grapple section; and grapple segments positioned on an interior wall of the cavity of the grapple section. The camera is fixedly mounted to the main body and configured to image at least a portion of the cavity of the grapple section. The fishing method further comprises inserting the fishing tool attached to the conveyor into a wellbore; imaging, using the camera, at least a portion of the cavity of the grapple section; engaging, with the grapple section, a fish in the wellbore; and retracting the conveyor from the wellbore to remove the fish from the wellbore.

A twelfth aspect includes the eleventh aspect, wherein the main body of the fishing tool comprises a housing having a first longitudinal axis and a central member positioned within the housing and having a second longitudinal axis coaxial with the first longitudinal axis. The camera of the twelfth aspect is fixedly mounted to the central member and the central member comprises an outer wall comprising a plurality of fluid outlet ports that fluidly connect an interior chamber of the central member with an annular region between the central member and the housing. The fishing method of the twelfth aspect further comprises flowing fluid from the interior chamber of the central member through the plurality of fluid outlet ports into the annular region and then within the annular region toward the proximal end of the grapple section.

A thirteenth aspect includes the twelfth aspect, wherein the fishing tool further comprises a fluid barrier positioned at the proximal end of the grapple section, and wherein the fishing method further comprises redirecting the fluid flowing within the annular region radially inwards toward a lens of the camera and into the cavity of the grapple section.

A fourteenth aspect includes the thirteenth aspect, wherein the imaging is performed after redirecting the fluid flowing within the annular region radially inwards toward the lens of the camera and into the cavity of the grapple section.

A fifteenth aspect includes any one of the twelfth through fourteenth aspects, further comprising delivering the fluid, using a pump, through a conduit of the conveyor from a proximal end of the conveyor into the interior chamber of the fishing tool attached to the distal end of the conveyor.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a fishing system comprises a conveyor with a fishing tool attached to a distal end of the conveyor, the fishing tool comprising a main body, a grapple section, and a camera. The grapple section comprises: a proximal end connected to the main body; a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end comprising an opening that extends into a cavity of the grapple section; and grapple segments positioned on an interior wall of the cavity of the grapple section. The camera is fixedly mounted to the main body and configured to image at least a portion of the cavity of the grapple section.

A seventeenth aspect includes the sixteenth aspect, wherein the main body of the fishing tool comprises: a housing having a first longitudinal axis; and a central member positioned within the housing and having a second longitudinal axis coaxial with the first longitudinal axis, wherein: the camera is fixedly mounted to the central member; and the central member comprises an outer wall comprising a plurality of fluid outlet ports that fluidly connect an interior chamber of the central member with an annular region between the central member and the housing. The fishing tool of the seventeenth aspect is configured for fluid to flow from the interior chamber of the central member through the plurality of fluid outlet ports into the annular region and then within the annular region toward the proximal end of the grapple section.

A eighteenth aspect includes the seventeenth aspect, wherein the fishing tool is further configured such that the fluid flowing within the annular region toward the proximal end of the grapple section enters the cavity of the grapple section.

A nineteenth aspect includes the eighteenth aspect, wherein the fishing tool further comprises a fluid barrier positioned at the proximal end of the grapple section and configured to redirect the fluid flowing within the annular region radially inwards toward a lens of the camera and into the cavity of the grapple section.

A twentieth aspect includes any one of the seventeenth through nineteenth aspects, wherein the conveyor comprises a conduit for the fluid to traverse the conveyor from a proximal end of the conveyor to the fishing tool attached to the distal end of the conveyor, and wherein the fishing system further comprises a pump configured to deliver the fluid through the conduit and into the interior chamber of the central member. Additional features and advantages of the embodiments described herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a fishing tool, according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a fishing tool having a reversed-tapered grapple section, according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3A schematically depicts a wellbore containing a fish;

FIG. 3B schematically depicts a fishing system after a fishing tool of the fishing system has been inserted into the wellbore of FIG. 3A, according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3C schematically depicts the fishing system of FIG. 3B after a grapple section of the fishing tool has engaged the fish, according to one or more embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 3D schematically depicts the fishing system of FIG. 3B as a conveyor of the fishing system is being retracted from the wellbore, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to fishing tools, fishing methods using the same, and fishing systems incorporating the same.

As used herein, the terms “downhole” and “uphole” may refer to a position within a wellbore relative to the surface, with uphole indicating a direction or position closer to the surface and downhole referring to a direction or position farther away from the surface. Similarly, as used herein, the terms “downward” and “upward” may refer to a position within a subterranean environment relative to the surface, with upward indicating a direction or position closer to the surface and downward referring to a direction or position farther away from the surface.

As used herein, “wellbore” may refer to a drilled hole or borehole extending down into the ground from the surface of the Earth, and may be an openhole or unlined portion. The wellbore may form a pathway capable of permitting fluids to traverse between the surface and a subterranean reservoir. The wellbore may include at least a portion of a fluid conduit that links the interior of the wellbore to the surface. The fluid conduit connecting the interior of the wellbore to the surface may be capable of permitting regulated fluid flow from the interior of the wellbore to the surface and may permit access between equipment at the surface and the interior of the wellbore. While the present disclosure is primarily focused on wellbores in the oil and gas context, it should be understood that the fishing tools, methods, and systems described herein could also be implemented in other well types, such as water wells.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a fishing tool 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the fishing tool 100 includes a main body 110, a grapple section 120, and a camera 130 fixedly mounted to the main body 110. The grapple section 120 includes a proximal end 122 connected to the main body 110 and a distal end 124 opposite the proximal end 122 and having an opening 124-1 that extends into a cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. The grapple section 120 also includes grapple segments 128 positioned on an interior wall 126-1 of the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. The camera 130 is configured to image at least a portion of the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. In this manner, the camera 130 is able to image a fish (not shown in FIG. 1) as the fishing tool 100 approaches the fish in a wellbore and as the grapple section 120 of the fishing tool 100 engages the fish. The camera 130 thus provides real-time information about the shape, location, and orientation of the fish as it is being engaged by the grapple section 120 of the fishing tool 100. This insight may improve the ability of an engineer to control the movement of the fishing tool 100 so as to decrease the amount of time required to fixedly attach the grapple section 120 to the fish. Additionally, the information provided by the camera 130 may allow the engineer to control the movement of the fishing tool 100 so as to improve the grip on the fish and reduce the likelihood of the fish becoming unattached from the fishing tool 100 as it is removed from the wellbore. Accordingly, the fishing tool 100 enables greater efficiency, precision, and accuracy in fishing operations.

As discussed in more detail below with respect to the methods and systems of the present disclosure, the fishing tools described herein may be lowered into (and positioned at different locations within) a wellbore via a conveyor comprising, for example, wireline (e.g., heavy duty electric wireline), drill pipe, or coiled tubing. The use of drill pipe or coiled tubing as the conveyor allows fluid to be pumped from a fluid reservoir (e.g., at Earth's surface) to the fishing tool, which may be attached to a distal end of the conveyor. The fluid pumped to the fishing tool may be used to improve the quality of the imaging by, for example, clearing crude and/or debris from the cavity of the grapple section and in the region above the fish, and cleaning of the lens of the camera during the fishing operation.

Referring still to FIG. 1, in embodiments, the fishing tool 100 includes a fluid passage 117 configured to cause fluid to flow radially inwards toward a lens 134 of the camera 130. In this manner, chemicals and other debris that might have accumulated on the lens 134 of the camera 130 during or prior to the fishing operation may be removed, thereby enabling the camera 130 to capture a clearer image. The fluid passage 117 may be defined in part by an annular region 118 of the main body 110 fluidly connected to the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120 at the proximal end 122 of the grapple section 120. The fluid passage 117 may be further defined by a fluid barrier 140 positioned at the proximal end 122 of the grapple section 120. The fluid passage 117 may be configured to redirect fluid flowing within the annular region 118 of the main body 110 radially inwards toward the lens 134 of the camera 130 and into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120 (redirected fluid flow indicated in FIG. 1 by right angle arrows that extend from within the annular region 118 radially inwards toward the lens 134).

In embodiments, the main body 110 of the fishing tool 100 includes: a housing 112 having a first longitudinal axis A1; and a central member 114 having a second longitudinal axis A2 that is coaxial with the first longitudinal axis A1. The camera 130 may be fixedly mounted to the central member 114, e.g., with a connection between the body 132 of the camera 130 and the distal end of the central member 114. The camera 130 may be any type of camera suitable for use in wellbore applications. The annular region 118 of the main body 110 is between the central member 114 and the housing 112, as schematically depicted in FIG. 1. Further, the central member 114 may include an outer wall 114-1 having a plurality of fluid outlet ports 114-2 that fluidly connect an interior chamber 116 of the central member 114 with the annular region 118 of the main body 110. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the fishing tool 100 is described and schematically depicted as having a plurality of fluid outlet ports 114-2, a single fluid outlet port may suffice provided an adequate flow of fluid is permitted from the interior chamber 116 of the central member 114 into the annular region 118 of the main body 110 (i.e., so as to permit sufficient cleaning of the camera lens 134 and/or clearing of crude and/or other debris from within the cavity of the grapple section 120 as well as below the grapple section 120).

The fluid pumped to the fishing tool 100 may enter the interior chamber 116 of the central member 114, flow from the interior chamber 116 through the plurality of fluid outlet ports 114-2 into the annular region 118 (indicated in FIG. 1 by right angle arrows that extend from within interior chamber, through fluid outlet ports 114-2, and into annular region 118), and then flow within the annular region 118 toward the proximal end 122 of the grapple section 120 and into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. The annular region 118 surrounding the central member 114 to which the camera 130 is fixedly mounted may allow for the annular flow of fluid into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. The annular flow of fluid into the cavity of the grapple section 120 may allow for a uniform clearing of crude and/or other debris from around the camera 130 and from within the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the uniform clearing of crude and/or other debris via the annular fluid flow around the camera 130 may improve the quality of the imaging of the camera 130.

In embodiments including a fluid passage 117 configured to cause fluid to flow radially inwards toward a lens 134 of the camera 130, the fluid barrier 140 positioned at the proximal end 122 of the grapple section 120 redirects fluid flowing within the annular region 118 of the main body 110 radially inwards toward the lens 134 of the camera 130, and into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. However, it should be understood that alternative structural features (i.e., other than the fluid barrier 140) may be used to redirect fluid flowing within the annular region 118 of the main body 110 radially inwards toward the lens 134 of the camera 130 and into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120.

Relative to embodiments of the fishing tool described herein that do not contain the fluid barrier 140 and are designed to permit the annular flow of fluid directly from the annular region 118 into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120, embodiments configured to redirect fluid radially inwards toward the lens 134 of the camera 130 may be particularly beneficial in circumstances wherein the lens 134 of the camera 130 is susceptible to repeated and/or heavy accumulation of chemicals and/or other debris that limits a clear view into and through the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. That is, while both embodiments permit the clearing of crude and/or other debris from the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120, embodiments containing the fluid barrier 140 positioned at the proximal end 122 of the grapple section 120 may further improve the image quality of the camera 130 in circumstances wherein the surface of the lens 134 is likely to accumulate material that might negatively impact the quality of imaging.

The fluid pumped into and through the fishing tool 100 may be a transparent fluid such as fresh water, brine, liquid nitrogen, or liquid CO₂. Because wellbore fluids (such as drilling fluid or produced fluids) may be opaque or otherwise act to prevent imaging of the cavity 126 of the grapple section, the use of optically clear fluids can enable or enhance imaging of the fish as it is approached by the fishing tool 100 and engaged by the grapple section 120 of the fishing tool 100. The fluid may be selected based on the type of debris (scale, wax, paraffin, etc.) to be cleared from the fish, the region surrounding the fish, the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120, and/or from the lens 134 of the camera 130.

The grapple section 120 of fishing tool 100 schematically depicted in FIG. 1 is substantially cylindrical, i.e., having an internal diameter D that is approximately constant (having a variation of +/−0.1 inches) from the proximal end 122 of the grapple section 120 to the distal end 124 of the grapple section 120. The internal diameter D of the grapple section 120 may be greater than or equal to 1.0 inches and less than or equal to 6.0 inches, greater than or equal to 1.0 inches and less than or equal to 5.5 inches, greater than or equal to 1.25 inches and less than or equal to 5.5 inches, greater than or equal to 1.25 inches and less than or equal to 5.0 inches, greater than or equal to 1.5 inches and less than or equal to 5.0 inches, greater than or equal to 1.5 inches and less than or equal to 4.5 inches, or greater than or equal to 1.5 inches and less than or equal to 4.0 inches. Reference herein to the diameter(s) of the grapple section refers to the distance between grapple segments 128 on opposite sides of the cavity 126, measured from the most radially inward points of the opposing grapple segments 128 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

However, in other embodiments, the fishing tool 100 may comprise a grapple section 160 that is reverse-tapered such that an internal diameter D1 of the distal end 164 of the grapple section 160 is greater than an internal diameter D2 of the proximal end 162 of the grapple section 160, as schematically depicted in FIG. 2. In embodiments of the fishing tool 100 having a reversed-tapered grapple section 160, the distance between opposing grapple segments 168 at the distal end 164 of the grapple section 160 may be larger than the distance between opposing grapple segments 168 at the proximal end 162 of the grapple section 160. That is, the internal diameter of the reverse-tapered grapple section 160 gets progressively smaller going from the opening 164-1 at the distal end 164 inwards within the cavity 166 of the grapple section 160. Reverse-tapered grapple sections 160 may be beneficial wherein the exact size of the fish to be retrieved is unknown. Moreover, in embodiments of the fishing tool 100 having a reversed-tapered grapple section 160, the grapple segments 168 may be helically tapered.

In embodiments, the internal diameter D1 of the distal end 164 of the grapple section 160 may be greater than or equal to 2.5 inches and less than or equal to 3.5 inches. In embodiments, the internal diameter D2 of the proximal end 162 of the grapple section 160 may be greater than or equal to 1.5 inches and less than or equal to 2.5 inches. In embodiments, the depth L of the grapple section (see FIG. 1) may be greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than or equal to 18 inches.

In operation, the fishing tool 100 may be lowered onto the fish such that the fish enters the cavity of the grapple section, wherein the fishing tool 100 continues to be lowered until the grapple segments firmly latch onto the fish allowing the fishing tool 100 to be removed from the wellbore with the fish attached. The fishing tool 100 may be configured such that grapple sections of varying sizes and taper types may be substituted based on the size and shape of the fish to be retrieved from the wellbore. The grapple segments of the grapple section may be formed from steel, hardened high alloy steels, or other materials known in the art as being suitable for the grapple segments of fishing tools.

As mentioned hereinabove, the present disclosure is also directed to fishing methods and systems that utilize the fishing tools described herein for the retrieval of fish from wellbores. FIG. 3A schematically depicts a fish 206 in a wellbore 202 extending into the Earth from a wellhead 204 at Earth's surface 201. An embodiment of a fishing system 200 of the present disclosure is schematically depicted at various stages of a fishing operation in FIGS. 3B-3D. The fishing system 200 includes a conveyor 210 with a fishing tool 100 attached, directly or indirectly, to the distal end 214 of the conveyor 210. The fishing tool 100 utilized in the fishing system 200 may be a fishing tool in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3B-3D, a deployment tool 230 (e.g., a standard downhole carrier) is used to attach the fishing tool 100 to the distal end 214 of the conveyor 210. The deployment tool 230 may be attached to the distal end 214 of the conveyor 210, and the fishing tool 100 may be attached to the deployment tool 230. The conveyor 210 and the deployment tool 230 in combination may be used to convey the fishing tool 100 to the desired depth.

The conveyor 210 of the system 200 may be wireline (e.g., heavy duty electric wireline), drill pipe, or coiled tubing. As discussed above, the use of drill pipe or coiled tubing for the conveyor 210 allows fluid to be pumped to the fishing tool 100 attached to the distal end 214 of the conveyor 210. The conveyor 210 of the fishing system 200 may comprise a conduit 216 for fluid to traverse the conveyor 210 from a proximal end 212 of the conveyor 210 to the fishing tool 100 attached to the distal end 214 of the conveyor 210. The fishing system 200 may further include a pump 220 (e.g., above Earth's surface 201) configured to deliver fluid through the conduit 216 of the conveyor 210 and into the interior chamber 116 of the central member 114 of the fishing tool 100. The fluid pumped to and through the fishing tool 100 may be used to improve the image quality of camera in the manners described above. That is, fluid pumped to and through the fishing tool 100 may be used to improve the image quality of camera by clearing crude and/or debris from the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120 and in the region above the fish 206, and by cleaning of the lens 134 of the camera 130 during the fishing operation.

Referring still to FIGS. 3B-3D, the fishing methods of the present disclosure may include attaching the fishing tool 100 to the distal end 214 of the conveyor 210, inserting the fishing tool 100 attached to the conveyor 210 into a wellbore 202, imaging, using the camera 130 of the fishing tool 100, at least a portion of the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120, engaging a fish 206 in the wellbore 202 with the grapple section 120, and retracting the conveyor 210 from the wellbore 202 to remove the fish 206 from the wellbore 202. As with the fishing systems of the present disclosure, the fishing tool 100 utilized in the fishing methods described herein may be a fishing tool in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein.

The fishing methods may further include flowing a fluid from the interior chamber 116 of the central member 114 of the main body 110 through the plurality of fluid outlet ports 114-2 into the annular region 118 and then within the annular region 118 toward the proximal end 122 of the grapple section 120. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3B-3D, the fishing method may include delivering the fluid, using the pump 220, through a conduit 216 of the conveyor 210 from a proximal end 212 of the conveyor 210 into the interior chamber 116 of the fishing tool 100 attached to the distal end 214 of the conveyor 210, and from the interior chamber 116 to the annular region 118 via the plurality of fluid outlet ports 114-2. The fishing method may further include redirecting fluid flowing within the annular region 118 of the fishing tool 100 radially inwards toward the lens 134 of the camera 130 and into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120. The flow of fluid radially inwards toward the lens 134 of the camera 130 may clean the lens 134 of the camera 130 and improve the image quality of the camera 130. Accordingly, in embodiments of the fishing methods described herein, the imaging may be performed after redirecting the fluid flowing within the annular region 118 radially inwards toward the lens 134 of the camera 130 and into the cavity 126 of the grapple section 120.

Unless otherwise specified, a range of values, when recited, includes both the upper and lower limits of the range as well as any sub-ranges therebetween. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

As used herein, the indefinite articles “a,” “an,” and the corresponding definite article “the” mean “at least one” or “one or more,” unless otherwise specified. It will also be understood that the various features disclosed in the specification and the drawings can be used in any and all combinations.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the words “comprise,” “has,” and “include” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as “in embodiments,” “in one or more embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with one embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more other embodiments.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Having described the subject matter herein in detail and by reference to specific embodiments, it is noted that the various details disclosed herein should not be taken to imply that these details relate to elements that are essential components of the various embodiments described herein. Further, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope herein, including, but not limited to, embodiments defined in the appended claims.