Autonomous Lateral Wellbore Entry Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore technologies face challenges in reliably and autonomously entering lateral branch wellbores without the need for real-time operator control, especially in corrosive acid stimulation operations where control cables are compromised, and high pump rates are limited by the presence of control cables.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a body, arm, actuator sub-assembly, and control sub-assembly that autonomously detects and enters lateral wellbores through a lateral window, using sensors and actuators to position the arm and body, and a wireless communications sub-assembly to receive commands and transmit status signals, eliminating the need for control cables and enabling autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control cables are used for real-time operator control, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates in corrosive acid stimulation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the control cable from the system entirely, extracting the harmful element that compromises reliability in corrosive environments. The assembly uses autonomous sensors and actuators to detect and enter lateral wellbores without requiring control cables, thereby eliminating the reliability issue while maintaining operational capability through wireless communication and autonomous decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control cable system with an autonomous sensor-actuator system. Instead of mechanical control from the surface, the assembly uses sensors to detect lateral windows, actuators to position the arm, and wireless communications to transmit status signals, eliminating the need for control cables in corrosive environments.
2Ease of operation
If control cables are present in the wellbore, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to limited pump rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control cable from the wellbore, eliminating the restriction on pump rates. By using autonomous actuators and wireless communication, the system maintains ease of operation without the productivity limitation imposed by control cables present in the wellbore during acid stimulation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical control cable system with an autonomous actuation system that does not interfere with fluid flow. The actuators are integrated into the assembly body and can operate independently of control cables, allowing high pump rates during acid stimulation while maintaining operational control.
3Measurement precision
If complex imaging systems are used for lateral window detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex imaging systems from the lateral window detection process. Instead of using complex imaging, the assembly uses simple sensors to detect the lateral window and an arm with actuators to position and enter through the window, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex imaging systems with a mechanical sensing and actuation approach. Sensors detect the lateral window position, and actuators mechanically position the arm to enter through the window, eliminating the need for complex imaging equipment while achieving precise lateral window detection and entry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and autonomous detection and entry into lateral wellbores, allowing for acid stimulation operations without control cables, supporting high pump rates and simplifying maintenance by eliminating the need for real-time surface control and complex imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The control sub-assembly includes a second sensor to sense when the assembly is located in the main wellbore or the lateral branch wellbore and transmit a second signal representing when the assembly is located in the main wellbore or the lateral branch wellbore. In some implementations, the second sensor includes an inductive sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The actuator sub-assembly includes a magnetic coupling operatively coupled to the connector rod. In some implementations, the linkage rod actuates the connector rod responsive to a movement of the magnetic coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly and a method for entering a lateral branch of a main wellbore through a lateral window with an assembly are described. The assembly includes an arm coupled to a body. The arm positions the body to enter the lateral branch. The assembly includes an actuator to actuate the arm relative to the body. The assembly includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor senses a condition of the arm and transmit the condition of the arm to the controller. The second sensor senses when the assembly is located in the main wellbore or the lateral branch transmits the location to the controller. Responsive to either the first signal or the second signal, the controller actuates the arm relative to the body to position the body to enter the lateral window and determines when the assembly has entered the lateral branch.