Backup Ring Opening for Wellbore Line Passage

Solution Overview

Problem

Current seal systems in the resource recovery industry require time-consuming and costly splicing operations to pass control and electric lines, which leads to inefficiencies and regulatory compliance issues.

Innovation Solution

A backup ring with a radially outer and inner surface featuring an opening that guides and protects lines, potentially filled with a resilient material, allowing lines to pass through without the need for splicing, using various configurations such as single-piece or petal designs with covers for protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If splicing operations are used to pass control lines and electric lines through seal systems, then line passage is achieved, but operational time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline passage efficiencyVSAvoidsplicing operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the line passage function from the splicing operation by providing a dedicated opening in the backup ring that allows lines to pass through the seal system without requiring splicing. This separates the line passage function from the sealing function, enabling lines to be passed through during setting operations without additional splicing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The opening in the backup ring serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates line passage through the seal system. This intermediate feature allows control lines and electric lines to be guided through the seal assembly during setting, eliminating the need for post-setting splicing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If splicing operations are performed to pass lines through seal systems, then line connectivity is established, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline connectivityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the line passage function from the splicing operation by providing a dedicated opening in the backup ring that allows lines to pass through the seal system without requiring splicing. This separates the line passage function from the sealing function, enabling lines to be passed through during setting operations without additional splicing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The backup ring with its integrated opening provides self-service for line passage during the setting operation. The opening is built into the backup ring structure itself, allowing lines to be guided through automatically as part of the setting process, eliminating the need for separate splicing operations and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If lines are passed below seal system elements and spliced, then line passage is achieved, but regulatory compliance testing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline passage capabilityVSAvoidsplicing and testing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the line passage function from the splicing operation by providing a dedicated opening in the backup ring that allows lines to pass through the seal system without requiring splicing. This separates the line passage function from the sealing function, enabling lines to be passed through during setting operations without additional splicing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11572757B2Backup ring with control line protection, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A backup ring for a seal assembly including a body having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, an opening in the body extending from the radially outer surface toward the radially inner surface, the opening being receptive to a line to guide and protect the line. A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed in the borehole, a seal system disposed in the string, the system including a backup ring comprising a body having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface and an opening in the body extending from the radially outer surface toward the radially inner surface, the opening being receptive to a line to guide and protect the line and a method for running a line along a seal system.