Dissolvable Downhole Entry Guide for Tubing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entry guides for aligning downhole components within a wellbore often hinder subsequent operations due to their permanent nature, as they do not easily dissolve or disappear after performing their function, potentially blocking the inner diameters of the tubing string and downhole components.
Innovation Solution
The entry guides are formed partially or entirely from dissolvable materials that can be corroded, dissolved, or compromised by stimuli such as temperature, pressure, or fluids, allowing them to disappear after guiding the tubing string into the downhole component, thus ensuring unobstructed access for further operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent entry guides are used to align downhole components, then alignment function is achieved, but subsequent operations are hindered due to obstruction of inner diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The entry guide is made from a dissolvable material whose physical state changes from solid to dissolved/compromised state after performing its alignment function. This parameter change allows the guide to transition from providing structural alignment support to being removed without obstruction, resolving the contradiction between maintaining alignment reliability and eliminating harmful obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable material undergoes a phase transition or chemical transformation after insertion, changing from an intact solid structure to a compromised or dissolved state. This phase change enables the entry guide to automatically disappear after guiding the tubing string, eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining the alignment function during the critical insertion phase.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If dissolvable materials are used in entry guides, then obstruction is prevented after insertion, but the material must withstand insertion conditions initially
Solution Approach 1:
The entry guide material exhibits dynamic properties, being strong and intact during the insertion phase to provide necessary alignment support, then transitioning to a compromised or dissolved state after insertion to prevent obstruction. This dynamic behavior allows the material to adapt its strength characteristics based on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between initial durability and subsequent removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable material is designed to maintain its structural integrity and alignment function during the preliminary insertion phase, then automatically undergoes transformation to eliminate obstruction. The preliminary action of providing strong alignment support is followed by the intended dissolution, resolving the contradiction between needing strength during insertion and preventing obstruction afterward.
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
The use of dissolvable materials in entry guides facilitates smooth alignment and subsequent operations by ensuring the guides dissolve or degrade after insertion, preventing obstruction and allowing full access through the bore diameters, enhancing operational efficiency in wellbore operations.
Implementation Method 1
all or part of the guide is formed out of the dissolvable material such that, in one specific embodiment, after the tubing string is inserted into the bore of the downhole component already disposed in the wellbore, all or part of the guide dissolves
Implementation Method 2
the entry guides include a profile disposed on a lower end of the guides that facilitates insertion of the guide into a bore of a downhole component already disposed within the wellbore. All or part of the guide is formed out of the dissolvable material such that, in one specific embodiment, after the tubing string is inserted into the bore of the downhole component already disposed in the wellbore, all or part of the guide dissolves
Data Source
AI summary
Entry guides for use on a tubing string comprise one or more dissolvable materials. A profile disposed on the entry guide facilitates aligning the tubing string in a desired orientation within a wellbore. For example, the profile can align the tubing string with a bore of a component disposed within the wellbore so that the tubing string can be inserted into a bore of the downhole component. After proper alignment has been achieved, the one or more dissolvable materials can be activated to disappear leaving behind the tubing string and the downhole component in their desired arrangement. One or more portion of the entry guides, including the profile, can be formed out of the dissolvable material.