Articulating Buoyant Guidance Sub for Deflector-Less Multilateral Entry

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional multilateral well construction requires an extra trip to run a deflector tool, increasing costs and time due to the need for mechanical direction of lateral completion strings into lateral bores.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an articulating buoyant guidance sub at the end of the lateral completion string, which provides lift and guidance without a deflector tool, allowing the string to be directed out the multilateral window and into the lateral bore, and includes mechanisms to maintain connection even in case of separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a deflector tool is used to guide lateral completion strings into lateral bores, then mechanical direction is achieved, but an extra trip is required increasing costs and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical direction capabilityVSAvoidextra trip time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the deflector tool from the multilateral well construction process. Instead of using a separate deflector tool that requires an additional trip, the guidance sub is integrated directly into the lateral completion string, allowing the string to guide itself into the lateral bore without requiring a standalone deflector tool intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the guidance function with the lateral completion string by integrating a guidance sub directly onto the string. This combination eliminates the need for separate deflector tool operations, as the guidance sub and completion string work as a unified system to achieve both guidance and completion functions in a single operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a deflector tool is used to provide mechanical direction, then guidance into lateral bores is achieved, but costs increase due to additional equipment and operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance capabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the guidance function with the lateral completion string by integrating a guidance sub directly onto the string. This combination eliminates the need for separate deflector tool operations, as the guidance sub and completion string work as a unified system to achieve both guidance and completion functions in a single operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance sub serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical guidance into the lateral bore, acts as a connector for the completion string, and enables direct entry without requiring separate deflector tool operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If traditional deflector tools are used, then mechanical direction is provided, but the process requires multiple separate operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical directionVSAvoidconstruction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the guidance function with the lateral completion string by integrating a guidance sub directly onto the string. This combination eliminates the need for separate deflector tool operations, as the guidance sub and completion string work as a unified system to achieve both guidance and completion functions in a single operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance sub is pre-integrated onto the lateral completion string before deployment. This preliminary configuration ensures that the guidance capability is already in place when the string is deployed, eliminating the need for subsequent deflector tool installations and streamlining the construction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Eliminates the need for a deflector tool trip, reducing overall time and cost by enabling direct entry of lateral strings into secondary wellbores, while maintaining connection integrity.

Implementation Method 1

an articulating buoyant guidance sub at the end of the lateral completion string, which provides lift and guidance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS12553287B2Production wellbore deflector-less multilateral system using a guidance sub

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An apparatus comprises a guidance sub to be attached to a tubular string for conveyance of the tubular string in a multilateral wellbore. The guidance sub comprises an articulating buoyancy structure that comprises multiple buoyancy links comprised of a buoyant material such that the articulating buoyancy structure is to have a buoyancy within a well fluid that is downhole in a primary wellbore, wherein the multiple buoyancy links are coupled together such that joints are formed between the multiple buoyancy links to allow movement between adjacent buoyancy links of the multiple buoyancy links, wherein the articulating buoyance structure is configured to direct guidance sub out of a multilateral window from a main bore and into a lateral bore of the multilateral wellbore.