Patent ID: 11066887

Abstract:
A cellar around a wellbore is formed or deepened with an excavating system that is capable of being assembled around an existing wellbore. The system includes an excavating unit having an annular body with a cutting surface that excavates cuttings from ground around the wellbore. The cuttings are directed up through a slot in the body, and are collected inside a receptacle set in a recess of the body. An opening is formed in a side of the receptacle when in the body, and through which the cuttings pass from the slot into the receptacle. The receptacle is removable from within the recess and cuttings collected within are emptied. When the receptacle is removed from the recess, the opening is automatically covered to retain the cuttings inside the receptacle. Another cellar around a different wellbore is formed by disassembling the excavating system and relocating it to the different wellbore.