Autonomous Robotic Tool Assembly for Untethered Well Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well intervention operations rely on extensive infrastructure, such as wireline/coil tubing winches and rigging equipment, which limits the flexibility and efficiency of operations, especially in deep sea environments.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robotic tool assembly that can assemble and disassemble downhole tools from subassemblies without tethered connections, allowing untethered operations and reducing the need for additional infrastructure by using a robotic tool assembly that can form downhole tools from subassemblies and deploy them into wellbores autonomously or semi-autonomously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional infrastructure (wireline/coil tubing winches, rigging equipment) is used for well intervention operations, then operational reliability is maintained, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the tether connection from the well intervention system, allowing the robotic tool to operate autonomously without wireline or coil tubing infrastructure. The robotic tool is deployed through the wellbore and operates independently, removing the need for surface infrastructure while maintaining operational capability through onboard power and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic tool is designed as a self-contained system with onboard power sources, navigation, and control systems that enable it to perform well intervention operations independently. The tool assembles and disassembles subassemblies autonomously, performs tasks such as valve shifting and milling without external assistance, and manages its own positioning and navigation within the wellbore.
2Use of energy by moving object
If tethered operations are used, then power and control can be maintained, but flexibility and operational autonomy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular subassemblies that can be independently assembled and disassembled by the robotic tool. The robotic tool itself is segmented into functional modules (power system, navigation, control, intervention tools) that can be optimized independently. This modular architecture enables flexibility in task configuration while maintaining self-contained power and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive infrastructure is deployed for deep sea well operations, then operational capability is achieved, but operational complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic tool serves as an intermediary system that bridges the gap between surface operations and deep sea well intervention. It carries all necessary tools, power, and navigation systems onboard, eliminating the need for complex surface infrastructure. The tool communicates with the surface through limited interfaces while maintaining autonomous operation throughout the deep sea environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automatic well intervention in a wellbore that includes a robotic tool assembly, and a plurality of subassemblies stored at or within the robotic tool assembly, where the robotic tool assembly is configured to assemble a downhole tool from the plurality of subassemblies, and where a subassembly, of the plurality of subassemblies, includes an energy storage subsystem configured to provide power to the downhole tool.