Autonomous Wellbore Intervention System for Paraffin Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore intervention operations are challenging due to remote or inaccessible locations, environmental sensitivity, and high costs associated with frequent manual intervention, which can disrupt local environments and increase carbon emissions.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous wellbore intervention system that can be configured as a permanent or semi-permanent installation, allowing for autonomous operation and tool deployment without manual intervention, using a tool housing with a valve arrangement and tool deployment system to manage wellbore integrity and perform tasks like paraffin wax removal, while reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention operations are performed frequently to maintain wellbore production, then production uptime is improved, but environmental disruption and carbon emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous intervention operations where the wellbore intervention system performs cleaning and maintenance tasks automatically without requiring manual intervention. The system includes autonomous tools that can detect and remove paraffin deposits, scale buildup, and other obstructions independently, thereby maintaining production uptime while eliminating the need for frequent manual trips to remote well locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical intervention with an automated system that uses controlled mechanical action through autonomous tools. The system substitutes human-operated equipment with automated deployment mechanisms that can be activated remotely or autonomously, reducing the environmental impact of frequent manual interventions while maintaining wellbore productivity.
2Productivity
If manual intervention operations are performed to remove solids and residues, then production is maintained, but operational costs and personnel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous intervention system performs wellbore cleaning and maintenance operations automatically without requiring personnel to travel to remote well locations. The system includes self-contained tools that can detect obstructions, execute cleaning operations, and return to storage autonomously, thereby maintaining production while eliminating personnel and vehicle fleet management costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a multi-functional intervention tool that can perform various wellbore maintenance tasks including removing paraffin deposits, scale buildup, and other solids. This universal tool can be deployed for different intervention operations across multiple wells, reducing the need for specialized equipment and personnel for each specific task.
3Ease of operation
If heavy intervention equipment is transported to remote well locations, then intervention operations can be performed, but infrastructure restrictions and access difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The intervention system is divided into modular components that can be stored in a tool housing with multiple storage compartments. The autonomous tool and deployment system are separated into manageable segments that can be independently managed and deployed. This segmentation allows the system to be stored compactly and deployed without requiring heavy transport equipment to remote well locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tool housing and deployment system as an intermediary between the stored intervention tools and the wellbore. This intermediary system manages the deployment and retrieval of autonomous tools, eliminating the need to transport heavy intervention equipment directly to remote well locations. The deployment system acts as a mediator that handles the weight and complexity of equipment management.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If autonomous intervention system is deployed as permanent installation, then environmental impact is reduced, but system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated autonomous intervention system that includes tool storage, autonomous cleaning tools, deployment mechanisms, and control systems all working together as a unified permanent installation. This merging of functions reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function, while minimizing carbon emissions by eliminating frequent vehicle trips to remote well locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanent autonomous installation performs wellbore intervention operations independently without requiring external support equipment or personnel intervention. The system includes self-contained power sources, autonomous tool deployment and retrieval mechanisms, and self-monitoring capabilities that reduce operational complexity despite the permanent installation infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous intervention system (10) configured to perform an intervention operation in a wellbore (12) comprises a tool housing (20) having a tool storage compartment (21) configured to house an intervention tool (18). A valve arrangement (22) permits selective communication of tools and fluid between the tool housing (20) and the wellbore (12). The intervention system (10) is configured to move in response to an activation event between a tool storage configuration in which the tool housing (20) is isolated from the wellbore (12) by the valve arrangement (22) and an activated configuration in which the valve arrangement (22) is open and the tool housing (20) communicates with the wellbore (12) to permit deployment of the intervention tool (18) by a tool deployment arrangement (30).