Dissolvable Metal Locking Member for Wellbore Joint Activation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore assembly systems face challenges in unlocking joints at downhole locations without causing damage to equipment due to the high stress required to sever strong shear screws, especially at deeper well depths.

Innovation Solution

A tool string system with a dissolvable locking member that maintains the first and second members locked during conveyance, allowing motion between them upon introduction of a dissolving agent, which can be chemically reactive or already present in the wellbore, to alleviate stress without damaging equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If shear screws are made stronger to support increased weight at deeper wellbores, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the shear forces necessary for severing them may cause damage to parts of the assembly and downhole equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshear screw strengthVSAvoiddamage to parts and equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical shear screw severing system with a chemical dissolution system. Instead of applying mechanical shear forces to break the locking member, a dissolving agent is introduced to chemically dissolve the locking member, allowing the members to separate without subjecting them to damaging shear forces. This substitution of mechanical action with chemical action resolves the contradiction between maintaining strong locking and avoiding damage during unlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of the locking member from solid and intact to dissolved and dispersed through chemical reaction. By altering the physical-chemical parameters of the locking member through dissolution, the system enables separation without mechanical stress. This parameter change allows the locking member to lose its structural integrity gradually through chemical degradation rather than sudden mechanical failure, preventing damage to connected components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If shear screws are used to lock joints during conveyance, then the joint stability is improved, but high stress is required to sever them at downhole locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint stabilityVSAvoidshear force required for severing

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical shear severing process with a chemical dissolution process. The dissolving agent chemically degrades the locking member, allowing joint separation without applying high mechanical shear forces. This substitution maintains joint stability during conveyance through strong mechanical locking while eliminating the need for high-force severing at depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dissolving agent acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the separation of locked joints. Instead of directly applying mechanical force to break the locking member, the dissolving agent mediates the separation process by chemically degrading the locking member over time, reducing the force requirement and preventing damage to connected components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If longer strings are used for deeper wellbores, then the reach capability is improved, but the weight increases requiring stronger shear screws

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool string lengthVSAvoidshear screw strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical shear screw system with a chemical dissolution system, eliminating the need to increase shear screw strength for longer tool strings. The dissolving agent chemically degrades the locking member regardless of the tool string length or weight, allowing consistent unlocking capability across different deployment depths without requiring proportionally stronger locking members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 unlocking of wellbore assembly joints at downhole locations without causing damage to equipment, reducing the risk of mechanical stress and facilitating operations by allowing relative movement between components.

Implementation Method 1

a dissolvable locking member configured to maintain the first member and the second member locked in a first configuration during conveyance of the tool string to a downhole location, wherein dissolution of the locking member enables motion between the second member and the first member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS10145209B2Utilizing dissolvable metal for activating expansion and contraction joints

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A system, tool and method of providing the tool downhole is disclosed. The tool is conveyed downhole on a tool string. The tool includes a first member and a second member locked in a first configuration by a locking member. The locking member is dissolvable upon introduction of a dissolving agent to the locking member. Dissolving the locking member allows motion between the second member and the first member.