Bypass Device for Annulus Data Collection in Completion Assemblies

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore treatment systems face challenges in obtaining data from the annulus between the service string and the completion assembly during pressure testing and treatment operations, as reversing valves can inhibit data collection when closed.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that include an outer assembly with a first flow device and an inner assembly featuring a frac port and a bypass device, which opens to provide a flow path from the formation to the annulus, allowing data collection during treatment operations by establishing fluid communication between the formation and the annulus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a reversing valve is used to prevent flow through the service assembly during treatment operations, then flow control is improved, but data collection from the annulus is inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow controlVSAvoiddata collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The service assembly is divided into multiple flow paths: one through the reversing valve for treatment operations, and another through the bypass device for data collection. This segmentation allows simultaneous flow control and data collection by directing fluids through different segments of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass device acts as an intermediary flow path that enables data collection from the annulus without requiring the reversing valve to be open. It mediates between the need for flow control during treatment and the need for data collection, allowing both functions to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the reversing valve is closed during treatment operations, then treatment fluid flow is controlled, but pressure data from the formation cannot be collected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment fluid flow controlVSAvoidpressure data collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flow control system is segmented into the reversing valve for treatment fluid management and the bypass device for measurement functions. This allows the reversing valve to remain closed for flow control while the bypass device remains open for pressure data collection from the formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass device serves multiple functions: it enables data collection during treatment operations, provides a flow path for pressure testing, and allows monitoring of formation conditions without interfering with the primary treatment fluid flow control function of the reversing valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If a bypass device is added to enable data collection, then data collection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidassembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass device is nested within the existing service assembly structure, utilizing the inner assembly and available flow paths. This integration minimizes the addition of external components and reduces overall system complexity while enabling data collection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effective pressure testing and treatment operations by allowing data collection from the annulus, even when the reversing valve is closed, thereby improving the understanding of formation conditions and fluid behavior during wellbore treatments.

Implementation Method 1

a bypass device uphole of the valve that opens when the inner assembly is set down in the set down profile to provide a flow path from the formation to an annulus between the inner assembly and the outer assembly above the frac port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

a first flow device, such as a sleeve valve, for supplying a fluid to a zone in the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

a valve below the frac port that remains closed when a fluid at a selected flow rate flows downward from above the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow rate control:

Data Source

PatentUS9745827B2Completion assembly with bypass for reversing valve

Publication Date: 2017.08.29 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes an outer assembly and inner assembly. The outer assembly includes a set down profile, a first flow device for supplying a fluid to a zone in the wellbore and a second flow device for providing a flow path from the formation to inside of the outer assembly. The inner assembly includes a frac port for supplying a fluid from the inner assembly to the first flow device, a valve below the frac port that remains closed when a fluid at a selected flow rate flows downward from above the valve, and a bypass device uphole of the valve. The bypass device opens when the inner assembly is set down in the set down profile and provides a flow path from below the frac port to an annulus between the inner assembly and the outer assembly above the frac port.