Bidirectional Drillpipe Valve Assembly for Tool Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drillpipe valve designs prevent the return of tools in the uphole direction, necessitating time-consuming withdrawal of entire drillpipe stands, which is inefficient and costly, especially when leaving the drillpipe in position post-logging operations.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a moveable valve member and a resiliently contractile arm that opens in both directions, allowing tools to be pumped or withdrawn through the drillpipe without removing the drillpipe, utilizing drillpipe pressure or wireline to control the valve's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flapper valve is used to prevent formation fluid pressure from propagating along the drillpipe, then fluid sealing is improved, but tool retrieval capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to be dynamically movable between closed and open positions. It automatically closes to seal against formation fluid pressure when no tool is present, and opens to allow tool passage when activated by a landing ring or similar mechanism. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both reliable sealing and tool retrieval capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system changes its operational state based on the presence or absence of a tool. When a tool approaches, the valve transitions from a closed sealing state to an open passage state, allowing the tool to pass through. After tool passage, it returns to the closed sealing state. This parameter change enables both functions to coexist.
2Ease of operation
If the drillpipe is withdrawn stand by stand to retrieve tools, then tool retrieval is achieved, but operational time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the tool retrieval function from the drillpipe withdrawal process. Instead of requiring the entire drillpipe stand to be withdrawn to retrieve a tool, the valve member is opened to allow the tool to pass through the drillpipe while the drillpipe remains in place. This separates the tool retrieval operation from the drillpipe withdrawal operation, dramatically reducing operational time.
3Reliability
If a valve member is pivotably secured at one edge to seal the drillpipe, then fluid sealing is achieved, but bidirectional tool passage is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to pivot freely between closed and open positions, allowing tools to pass through in either downhole or uphole direction. The same pivotable mechanism that enables sealing also enables bidirectional tool passage, as the valve can open to allow tool movement in any direction while maintaining its sealing capability when closed.
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 efficient deployment and retrieval of logging tools in both downhole and uphole directions within the drillpipe, reducing operational time and costs by allowing uninterrupted passage through the valve assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently contractile arm interconnecting the valve member and the pipe member so as to urge the valve member towards the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The valve is configured such that any formation fluid pressure (or other fluid pressure) acting inside the drillpipe acts in the same direction thereby sealing the drillpipe more firmly
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly (10) comprises a drillpipe (11) defining a hollow, generally cylindrical interior having secured therein a valve member (12) that is moveable between an open position, permitting passage of an object through the valve (10), and a closed position preventing passage of fluids along the drillpipe (11). A resiliently contractile arm (17) interconnects the valve member (12) and the drillpipe (11) so as to urge the valve member (12) towards the closed position and such that when an object passes along the drillpipe (11) and engages the valve member (12) or the arm (17) the valve member (12) occupies the open position.