Downhole Bypass Assembly Diverts Flow Around Restrictor
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Solution Overview
Problem
In subterranean well operations, existing flow control devices restrict fluid flow, leading to increased water and gas production, which reduces hydrocarbon extraction efficiency, and there is a need to bypass these restrictions without mechanical intervention to enhance hydrocarbon recovery.
Innovation Solution
A bypass assembly for downhole tools that includes a chamber, fluid ports, a flow restrictor, a piston movable by fluid pressure, and a biasing member, allowing fluid to divert around the restrictor via a secondary flow path when a predetermined pressure is reached, thereby bypassing the flow control device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a flow restrictor is used to control fluid flow through the wellbore, then production balancing along the interval is improved, but fluid flow rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device transitions from a static flow restriction to a dynamic system where the restrictor can be bypassed. The bypass mechanism allows the device to change its flow characteristics based on operational needs, enabling both flow balancing and high-rate production at different times without mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass mechanism acts as an intermediary between the flow restrictor and the wellbore. It provides an alternative flow path that can be activated when high flow rates are needed, mediating between the need for flow control and the need for high productivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flow restrictor is used to reduce water and gas production, then coning is reduced, but hydrocarbon extraction efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of flow restriction is extracted and isolated to specific operational periods. The bypass mechanism allows the flow restrictor to be effectively removed from the flow path when high hydrocarbon extraction is needed, separating the flow control function from continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control device operates in periodic cycles: flow restriction is applied during periods when coning control is prioritized, and the bypass is activated during periods when maximum hydrocarbon extraction is prioritized. This periodic switching optimizes both coning control and extraction efficiency over time.
3Productivity
If a bypass mechanism is added to allow high flow rates, then hydrocarbon recovery is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass mechanism is designed to be self-actuating based on downhole conditions. The system automatically switches between restricted and bypass flow paths without requiring external mechanical intervention, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve high flow rates for improved hydrocarbon recovery.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If flow restriction is maintained continuously, then water production is reduced, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass mechanism is prepared in advance and can be rapidly activated when high flow rates are needed. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly transition from a high pressure drop state to a low pressure drop state without mechanical intervention, reducing the cumulative pressure drop over time while maintaining water production control.
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
This solution allows for increased fluid flow rates and reduced pressure drops, enhancing hydrocarbon production by bypassing flow restrictions without mechanical intervention, thus improving the efficiency of hydrocarbon extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a piston moveable in a first direction by the application of a first fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member... The biasing member biases the piston to move in a second direction opposite the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A bypass assembly for use in a downhole tool comprises a chamber, a first fluid port in fluid communication with the chamber, a second fluid port in fluid communication with the chamber, a flow restrictor disposed in a first flow path between the first fluid port and the second fluid port, a piston moveable in a first direction by the application of a first fluid pressure, a biasing member, and a restraining member disposed adjacent to the piston. The biasing member biases the piston to move in a second direction opposite the first direction, and the restraining member is actuated by movement of the piston in the first direction in response to a predetermined fluid pressure. Movement of the piston in the second direction to a predetermined position configures the bypass assembly to divert fluid flow around the flow restrictor along a second flow path.