Coring Tool Inner Barrel Fluid Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coring tools face challenges in effectively filling and retaining a coring fluid within the inner barrel during downhole operations, leading to potential contamination and jamming issues, which can affect the quality of core samples obtained.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a coring fluid with adjustable density relative to the drilling fluid, combined with a filling sub and pressure measurement system to determine the optimal filling method, either by pumping the fluid in or utilizing pressure differences to maintain it within the inner barrel, ensuring the fluid remains separate from drilling fluid and prevents jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inner barrel is filled with drilling fluid during downhole operations, then the filling process is simple, but the drilling fluid contaminates the core sample and causes hydraulic jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The coring tool is divided into separate fluid compartments: the annulus between inner and outer barrels contains drilling fluid, while the inner barrel contains a separate coring fluid. This segmentation prevents contamination of the core sample while maintaining simple filling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
A coring fluid acts as an intermediary substance between the drilling fluid and the core sample. This intermediary fluid has properties that prevent hydraulic jamming and contamination, while allowing the simple drilling fluid filling process to continue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a coring fluid is used to prevent jamming and contamination, then core sample quality improves, but the filling process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing drilling fluid pressure and the density difference between fluids to automatically fill and maintain the coring fluid in the inner barrel. The coring fluid self-regulates its position and prevents contamination without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits changes in fluid density parameters to achieve automatic separation and positioning of drilling fluid and coring fluid. By selecting coring fluid with appropriate density relative to drilling fluid, the system simplifies the filling process while ensuring proper fluid distribution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the coring fluid density is adjusted to match drilling fluid density, then fluid separation is minimized, but control over fluid distribution becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system deliberately controls the density parameter of the coring fluid to be different from the drilling fluid density. This parameter difference creates natural stratification and simplifies fluid distribution control, while maintaining stable fluid composition in each compartment.
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 approach enhances the versatility and ease of use of coring tools, providing higher quality core samples and measurements by ensuring the coring fluid remains in the inner barrel, minimizing contamination and hydraulic jamming.
Implementation Method 1
The coring fluid may have a density lower than that of a drilling fluid surrounding the coring tool. Alternatively, it may have a density that is the same as or higher than that of the drilling fluid.
Implementation Method 2
These coring tools and methods may use pumping or pressure differences to draw the coring fluid into the coring tool, facilitating filling of the coring tool downhole.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for obtaining a core sample from a wellbore using a coring tool is disclosed. The method includes providing an outer barrel in the wellbore. The wellbore and outer barrel are at least partially filled with a drilling fluid. The method further includes lowering an inner barrel partially into the drilling fluid and displacing the drilling fluid in the inner barrel with a coring fluid.