Casing Ribs with Bearings for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In subterranean wells, especially those with complex geometries and horizontal sections, achieving optimal zonal isolation and cement bond integrity during cementing operations is challenging due to difficulties in running casing to the bottom and managing wellbore irregularities, which can lead to stuck casing and costly remedial operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of a casing string with elongated ribs secured circumferentially around its outer diameter, featuring bearings and potentially elastic or swellable materials, to centralize the casing and reduce friction, allowing for improved standoff and easier running of the casing string into the well, maintaining optimal cementing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If casing is run into deviated or complex geometry wells, then well completion is achieved, but friction between casing and wellbore increases causing stuck casing
Solution Approach 1:
Bearings are introduced as intermediary elements between the casing and wellbore wall. These bearings reduce direct contact and friction, allowing the casing to be run more easily into deviated and complex geometry wells without getting stuck.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing system is made dynamic by incorporating movable bearings that can rotate and adjust during the running process. This dynamic configuration allows the casing to navigate through deviated sections and irregular wellbore geometries more effectively by reducing static friction.
2Reliability
If casing is centralized in the wellbore, then cementing operation is optimized, but friction during casing installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearings are pre-installed on the casing before running it into the well. This preliminary configuration ensures that the casing is ready to minimize friction from the start of the installation process, enabling both easy running and proper centralization for subsequent cementing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic bearing system allows the casing to maintain centralization during installation by automatically adjusting to wellbore irregularities, achieving both low friction during running and optimal positioning for cementing.
3Manufacturing precision
If long robust rods are used for centralization, then casing standoff is improved along entire casing length, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralization system is segmented into multiple bearing units distributed along the casing length. Each bearing unit independently provides standoff and friction reduction, achieving uniform centralization without requiring a single complex long rod structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing units serve multiple functions: they provide centralization/standoff, reduce friction during running, and accommodate wellbore irregularities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex centralization tools.
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 enhances casing centralization and standoff, facilitating a uniform cement bond and reducing the risk of stuck casing, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of cementing operations in complex well geometries.
Implementation Method 1
By centralizing the casing and reducing the friction between the casing and the wellbore with bearings
Implementation Method 2
The ribs can include an elastic material
Implementation Method 3
The ribs can include a swellable material. In the retracted position a radially outermost surface of the rib can have a retracted diameter
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for completing a subterranean well include a casing string, the casing string being an elongated tubular member formed of successive casing joints and having a central axis. A plurality of ribs are secured to the casing string, the ribs being elongated members spaced circumferentially around an outer diameter of the casing string. The ribs extend axially from a downhole end of a casing joint to an uphole end of the casing joint.