Downhole Completion Assembly with Selective Coupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downhole completion operations for hydrocarbon wells are time-consuming and costly due to the need to remove multiple plugs used for fluid isolation and stimulation, with existing methods being unreliable.
Innovation Solution
The use of a downhole completion assembly with an uphole and downhole sub-assembly, including a coupler that selectively couples and decouples to form fluid seals and perforate the tubular conduit, allowing for repeated stimulation without removing plugs, utilizing a perforation device and sealing structure within the tubular conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plugs are used for fluid isolation during stimulation operations, then fluid sealing is achieved, but the plugs must be removed after stimulation which increases operational time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from permanent plugs and implements it through a temporary seal assembly that can be selectively removed. The seal assembly includes a seal element that forms a fluid seal between stimulation zones, and a retrieval mechanism that enables easy extraction of the seal assembly after stimulation is complete, eliminating the time-consuming plug removal process while maintaining reliable fluid isolation during operations
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly is designed as a temporary, recoverable component rather than a permanent plug. After completing the fluid isolation and stimulation functions, the seal assembly can be retrieved and removed from the wellbore, allowing the tubular conduit to be reused for production without the need to leave foreign objects in place. This recovering approach eliminates the operational burden of permanent plug removal
2Reliability
If multiple conventional plugs are used to isolate spaced-apart stimulation zones, then zone isolation is achieved, but the complexity of managing multiple plugs increases operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is designed as a universal, multi-functional device that can be positioned at multiple locations within the tubular conduit to isolate different stimulation zones. Rather than using multiple specialized plugs, a single reusable seal assembly performs the isolation function repeatedly at different zones, simplifying device management while maintaining reliable zone isolation through standardized procedures
3Ease of operation
If soluble plugs or milling devices are used for plug removal, then plug removal is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly incorporates a self-contained retrieval mechanism that enables easy self-extraction without requiring complex external removal tools or chemical dissolution processes. The design includes features such as engagement elements that interface with retrieval tools, allowing the seal assembly to be easily pulled out of the tubular conduit using standard equipment, thereby simplifying the removal operation and reducing time and cost
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 method enables efficient and reliable stimulation of multiple spaced-apart zones in hydrocarbon wells by allowing the downhole completion assembly to move progressively uphole, eliminating the need for multiple plug removals and reducing operational time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing structure configured to form a fluid seal within the tubular conduit
Implementation Method 2
a perforation device configured to perforate the tubular conduit
Data Source
AI summary
Methods include positioning a downhole completion assembly in a tubular conduit of a downhole tubular of a hydrocarbon well. The downhole completion assembly includes a downhole sub-assembly and an uphole sub-assembly. The methods also include forming a fluid seal within the tubular conduit with the downhole sub-assembly, decoupling the uphole sub-assembly from the downhole sub-assembly, translating the uphole sub-assembly in an uphole direction, perforating the downhole tubular with the uphole sub-assembly, translating the uphole sub-assembly in a downhole direction, coupling the uphole sub-assembly to the downhole sub-assembly, ceasing the fluid seal, and translating the downhole completion assembly in the uphole direction.