Downhole Brush and Nozzle Tool for Casing Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from downhole environments are inefficient and often damage the well formation, as they require multiple tools and may not effectively clear clogged perforations and residue without causing harm.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a hollow tube with brushes and nozzles attached to a work string, which includes a filter and is designed to scrub the well casing and adjacent formations using high-pressure jets to remove wax, scale, and other residues, thereby enhancing fluid flow without damaging the formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art methods are used to remove debris and clear well casing perforations, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but ground formation permeability is altered and damage occurs to the ground formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidground formation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cleaning functions (brushes for mechanical scrubbing, nozzles for high-pressure fluid injection, and scrapers for debris removal) into a single integrated tool assembly. This merging allows the tool to effectively clear perforations and remove debris while maintaining formation integrity through coordinated action of all components, avoiding the need for multiple separate tools that could cause formation damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool assembly is designed with multi-functionality to perform various cleaning operations simultaneously - mechanical brushing, high-pressure fluid injection, and scraping - all within a single device. This universal approach enables effective cleaning of different types of debris (wax, scale, resin) while preserving ground formation permeability through controlled, coordinated action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple tools are used to clear well casing perforations, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidnumber of tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cleaning tools (brushes, nozzles, scrapers) into a single integrated assembly that can be deployed together. This combination maintains cleaning thoroughness by incorporating all necessary cleaning mechanisms while reducing operational complexity by eliminating the need to deploy and coordinate multiple separate tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single tool assembly provides universal cleaning capability by integrating multiple functions - mechanical agitation through brushes, high-pressure fluid delivery through nozzles, and debris removal through scrapers. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive cleaning in one operation, reducing time consumption and simplifying the overall cleaning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If high-pressure jets are used to clear residue, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but risk of formation damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidformation damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines high-pressure nozzles with mechanical brushes and scrapers in an integrated assembly. The high-pressure jets provide efficient cleaning by removing stubborn residue, while the accompanying brushes and scrapers mechanically assist in debris removal, allowing the use of high-pressure fluid without excessive force that could damage the formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical brushes and scrapers act as intermediaries between the high-pressure fluid and the formation. They receive the high-pressure fluid's cleaning action and transfer it to the debris in a controlled manner, allowing efficient residue removal while the brushes and scrapers protect the formation from direct high-pressure impact that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively improves hydrocarbon recovery by efficiently clearing clogged perforations and residue, maintaining formation integrity, and enhancing fluid flow through the well casing and adjacent geological formations.

Implementation Method 1

outlet holes formed through the tube wall... designed to scrub the well casing and adjacent formations using high-pressure jets to remove wax, scale, and other residues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh-pressure fluid jet: Jet

Implementation Method 2

brushes on the outer circumferential surface... scrub the well casing and adjacent formations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical abrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

a filter coupled to the fluid inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9222336B2Devices, systems and methods relating to down hole operations

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 HYPER SCRATCHER INC

AI summary

Systems and method for improving down hole operations of well casings are disclosed herein. Systems and methods disclosed herein can comprise brushes, high pressure fluid outlets, and skids. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.