Oil Well Circulation Casing Inverted Sliding Sleeve Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil well circulation casings often accidentally close due to the presence of solids or wear, causing interruptions in fluid flow when a jet pump is introduced, leading to increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

The design of the circulation casing is modified by positioning the sliding sleeve inversely, removing external seals from the sleeve's external surface and relocating them internally, increasing the casing's diameter, and redesigning threaded connections to enhance mechanical strength and prevent accidental closure without relying on hydraulic or jointed control systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sliding sleeve is positioned externally with seals on its external surface, then the casing can be operated with standard tools, but the casing accidentally closes due to solids or wear, causing interruptions in fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation with standard toolsVSAvoidaccidental closure prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional design by positioning the sliding sleeve internally rather than externally, and relocating the seals from the external surface to the internal surface of the sleeve. This inversion prevents accidental closure by eliminating the external seal configuration that is susceptible to damage from solids and wear, while maintaining operational capability through the internalized mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If external seals are used on the sliding sleeve, then sealing is achieved, but wear and solids cause accidental closing and production interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidproduction interruptions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the sealing function from the external surface to the internal surface of the sliding sleeve. This internalization protects the seals from exposure to solids and wear conditions that cause external seal failure, thereby preventing accidental closure and production interruptions while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides beforehand cushioning by positioning the seals internally where they are protected from direct exposure to harmful solids and wear conditions. This preventive configuration ensures the seals operate in a protected environment, avoiding the wear and damage that would otherwise cause sealing failure and production interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If hydraulic or jointed control systems are used to prevent accidental closing, then the casing remains open, but additional costs and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasing open position maintenanceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex hydraulic or jointed control systems by implementing a simplified internal sliding sleeve mechanism with internally positioned seals. This extraction removes the dependency on external pressure forces and control systems, maintaining the casing in the open position through the inherent design of the internalized sliding mechanism rather than through complex external control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the casing to be self-servicing by designing the internal sliding sleeve mechanism to automatically maintain the open position through its inherent structural configuration. The internal seals and mechanism work together to prevent accidental closure without requiring external hydraulic or jointed control systems, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the sliding sleeve is moved downwards to open the casing, then the casing remains open during pump operation, but the design must accommodate this inverted positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasing open during pump operationVSAvoidinverted positioning design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by positioning the sliding sleeve internally and configuring it to move downwards to open the casing, which is the opposite of conventional external positioning. This inverted configuration ensures the casing remains open during pump operation by eliminating the risk of accidental closure, while the internalized design accommodates the inverted positioning without requiring additional external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10900325B2Casing for the circulation of fluids at the bottom of a well, with a downward-facing opening, for oil wells

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 SERTECPET

AI summary

Casings for the circulation of fluids, used at the bottom of oil wells, applicable in conventional systems for bottom completion in the oil industry are provided. Specifically, modification of the design of the casing in the form of the opening thereof, which is carried out by moving the sliding sleeve downwards, the aim of which is to solve the problem of the accidental closing of the casing as a jet pump enters same.