Degradable Landing Collar for Drill Bit Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling through cementing wiper plugs and landing collars in well cementing operations can damage drill bits and create debris, delaying drilling progress and requiring multiple operations.

Innovation Solution

A runnable member catcher system with a body that is structurally weakened by an activation fluid, allowing for easy removal through drilling or milling, comprising a tubular, insert, and sleeve, where the body and sleeve are made of degradable materials such as high-strength controlled electrolytic metals that degrade when exposed to fluids like brine or acid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cementing wiper plugs and landing collars are drilled through to enable additional drilling operations, then drilling progress can continue, but drill bits are damaged or dulled and debris is generated within the wellbore

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling progressVSAvoiddrill bit damage and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The landing collar is designed with a biodegradable material that changes its structural properties when exposed to formation fluids or specific activation fluids. The material transitions from a strong, intact state during cementing operations to a weakened, degradable state that allows easy removal through drilling without damaging the drill bit or generating excessive debris

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The biodegradable landing collar is pre-configured to automatically degrade upon exposure to formation fluids or activation fluids, eliminating the need for mechanical removal through drilling. This preliminary chemical action prepares the landing collar for easy removal before the drilling operation begins, preventing drill bit damage and debris generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If cementing operations are performed in deep wells with multiple sections, then complete well cementing is achieved, but wiper plugs and landing collars must be removed between sections causing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell cementing completenessVSAvoiddrilling delays

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The biodegradable landing collar undergoes a time-dependent structural transformation when exposed to formation fluids or activation fluids. This parameter change allows the landing collar to remain intact during cementing operations but automatically weaken and become easily removable after a predetermined time period, enabling rapid transition to the next drilling section without prolonged delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The landing collar is pre-programmed to degrade automatically after a specific time period or upon exposure to activation fluid, eliminating the need for time-consuming mechanical removal operations. This preliminary temporal trigger ensures that the landing collar is ready for easy removal exactly when needed for the next drilling section

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If drill bits are used to drill through landing collars, then drilling into earth formation can proceed, but the drill bits become damaged or dull requiring replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling continuationVSAvoiddrill bit integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The landing collar material is designed to undergo a dramatic strength parameter change when exposed to formation fluids or activation fluids. The material transitions from high strength during installation to low strength during removal, allowing drill bits to pass through the degraded landing collar material without experiencing the mechanical stress and damage that would occur when drilling through intact, high-strength landing collar material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates efficient removal of catcher components without damaging drill bits, reducing debris and delays in drilling operations, enabling smoother continuation of drilling after cementing.

Implementation Method 1

the body is configured to be structurally weakened upon exposure to an activation fluid to facilitate removal of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural weakening upon exposure to activation fluid:

Implementation Method 2

the body and sleeve are made of degradable materials such as high-strength controlled electrolytic metals that degrade when exposed to fluids like brine or acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial degradation through fluid exposure:

Data Source

PatentUS9194198B2Runnable member catcher, system and method of removing same

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A runnable member catcher includes a body fixedly attachable within a tubular, the body defines inner radial dimensions that are smaller than portions of the body that are fixedly attached the body to the tubular, the body is configured to be structurally weakened upon exposure to an activation fluid to facilitate removal of the body.