Deformable Blade Stabilizer for Wellbore Restrictions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Stabilizers used in wellbore operations often face challenges when passing through restrictions, as their radial stand-off force can damage the wellhead surface, necessitating a solution for selectively deformable blades that can adjust to fit through smaller annular spaces without causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer design featuring a tubular body with both rigid and deformable blades, where the deformable blade is configured to bend preferentially when encountering a restriction, reducing its outer diameter to facilitate passage and then returning to its original shape to support the tubular string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stabilizer uses rigid blades with sufficient radial stand-off force to support the tubular string, then the stabilizer can effectively stabilize the tubular in the wellbore, but the stabilizer cannot pass through restrictions in the wellbore without damaging the wellhead surface
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer blade is designed with a dynamic geometry that allows it to change its radial stand-off force based on the operational phase. During passage through restrictions, the blade geometry allows reduced force to prevent damage, while during stabilization, the blade provides sufficient support force. This is achieved through a geometric profile that preferentially bends in one direction when encountering restrictions, reducing the outer diameter temporarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade's geometric parameters are specifically designed to change its bending characteristics. The geometric profile includes features that cause the blade to bend preferentially in one direction under certain conditions (when encountering restrictions), allowing the outer diameter to reduce temporarily. After passing the restriction, the blade returns to its original shape and provides full stabilization force.
2Force
If the stabilizer blade has a larger outer diameter to provide sufficient support force, then the stabilizer can effectively stabilize the tubular string, but the stabilizer cannot pass through smaller annular spaces or restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The blade transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can adapt its effective diameter. The geometric profile is designed to bend preferentially in one direction when encountering restrictions, allowing the blade to reduce its outer diameter temporarily for passage, then return to its full diameter for stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade has non-uniform geometric properties along its length, with specific regions designed to bend more easily than others. This localized flexibility allows the blade to deform in a controlled manner when encountering restrictions, while maintaining structural integrity and support capability in the stabilized position.
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 the stabilizer to safely pass through constricted areas without damaging the wellhead, while maintaining support for the tubular string by adjusting its blade configuration dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable blade includes a geometric profile configured to preferentially bend the deformable blade in one direction when the deformable blade encounters the restriction
Implementation Method 2
the blades may return to its initial shape to support the tubular
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer for passing through a restriction includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough; a rigid blade disposed on the tubular body; and a deformable blade disposed on the tubular body, wherein the deformable blade includes a geometric profile configured to preferentially bend the deformable blade in one direction when the deformable blade encounters the restriction, and wherein the deformable blade has a height greater than a height of the rigid blade. In one example, the deformable blade is offset from a radial axis.