Radial Burst Disc Fluid Flow Assembly for Production Sub Pressure Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Production subs with multiple production ports face a pressure balance issue before all pressure barriers break, leading to limited flow area during later production stages.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a fluid flow assembly in each production port, comprising a radially interior burst disc, a radially exterior burst disc, and a sealing member, ensures that each interior burst disc bursts before pressure balance is achieved, maintaining pressure differential and increasing flow volume over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple production ports are used in a production sub, then production capability and flow volume are improved, but pressure balance issues occur before all pressure barriers break, limiting flow area during later production stages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction capabilityVSAvoidpressure differential maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The production sub divides its pressure barriers into segmented groups - interior burst discs and exterior burst discs - that break at different pressures. This segmentation allows each group to function independently, preventing pressure balance issues while maintaining overall production capability across multiple ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different burst discs are assigned different burst pressure ratings based on their location and function. Interior burst discs have lower ratings to break first, while exterior burst discs have higher ratings to break later. This local differentiation ensures proper pressure differential maintenance without limiting flow volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If pressure barriers are designed to break at the same pressure, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure balance occurs preventing all barriers from breaking, limiting flow area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure barrier designVSAvoidflow area

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pressure parameter for each burst disc group. Interior burst discs are calibrated to break at lower pressures while exterior burst discs are calibrated to break at higher pressures. This parameter differentiation ensures sequential breaking without requiring complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If interior burst discs break after pressure balance is achieved, then pressure differential is maintained, but flow volume is limited during production stages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differentialVSAvoidflow volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The interior burst discs are designed to break preliminarily at lower pressures before the exterior burst discs. This preliminary action creates the necessary pressure differential early in the process, enabling subsequent high-volume production through all ports once all barriers are breached.

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

This solution allows for efficient cementing, fracturing, and production by ensuring all interior burst discs burst, maintaining pressure differential, and increasing flow volume through the production ports, thereby enhancing production capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a radially interior burst disc and a radially exterior burst disc. Each of the radially interior burst discs may burst prior to the production sub achieving a pressure balance situation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced rupture: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

a sealing member positioned in a chamber created between the radially interior burst disc and the radially exterior burst disc; and a sealing member seat located in the chamber proximate the radially exterior burst disc, the sealing member configured to engage with the sealing member seat as fluid is pushing the sealing member radially outward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250084728A1Production sub including a fluid flow assembly having a pair of radial burst discs

Publication Date: 2025.03.13 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

The present disclosure, in at least one aspect, provides a production sub, a well system, and a method. The production sub, in one aspect, includes a tubular having a length (1), an inside ID, an OD, and a sidewall thickness (t), a plurality of production ports extending through the sidewall thickness (t) and coupling the inside diameter (ID) and the outside diameter (OD), and a fluid flow assembly positioned in each of the plurality of production ports. Each fluid flow assembly, in one aspect, includes a radially interior burst disc, a radially exterior burst disc, a sealing member positioned in a chamber created between the radially interior burst disc and the radially exterior burst disc, and a sealing member seat located in the chamber proximate the radially exterior burst disc, the sealing member configured to engage with the sealing member seat as fluid is pushing the sealing member radially outward.