Auxiliary conduit cutting apparatus

Abstract

A cutting assembly for external conduits on a tubing string or main tubular conduit features at least one breakaway in the string that can be severed with a tensile force. Preferably each external conduit is run through a cutter housing that is integral with a passage having threaded end connections. While in some scenarios it is preferred that the main tubular conduit is severed below the cutting assembly thus allowing the cutting apparatus to be retrieved with the upper portions of the cut main tubular conduit and external longitudinal member(s), in other circumstances it may be desired that the main tubular conduit is severed above the cutting assembly allowing the cutting apparatus to be left 'downhole' with the lower portion of the cut main tubular conduit and the BHA. The cutter knife assembly chambers or channels can be in banks that are axially spaced using bypass channels to access lower banks. The cutter knife assembly and associated channels can be mirror images so that the external conduits can be cut regardless of where the tubing string is severed and one or more conduits can be cut with a single cutter assembly.