Patent ID: 8210250

Claim:
An abrasive perforating tool for use in a tool string for deployment in an oil or gas well and through which well fluids are passed to conduct well operations, the tool comprising: a tool body having an upper end with an inlet and a lower end with an outlet and defining a fluid flow channel therebetween; wherein the tool body comprises at least one transversely directed jet nozzle continuous with the flow channel; wherein the upper and lower ends of the tool body are both connectable to other tools in the tools string; a sleeve disposed within the flow channel; a sleeve release assembly comprising: at least one shear pin mounted in the tool body to maintain the sleeve in the first position until broken; and wherein the sleeve has an upper end that defines a seat sized to receive a ball dropped into the tool string; wherein the sleeve and the flow channel in the tool body are configured to allow sliding movement of the sleeve from a first position that blocks the at least one jet nozzle and a second position that opens the at least one jet nozzle to the flow channel; wherein the at least one jet nozzle is sized to create a fluid jet capable of perforating the well when an abrasive fluid is pumped through the tool; and wherein the tool has no non-transverse jet nozzles.