Downhole Chemical Deployment Canisters for Controlled Reagent Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for downhole operations, such as gravel packing, face challenges in controlling fluid loss and deploying chemicals efficiently, with existing fluid loss control agents potentially damaging formations and requiring large volumes to be pumped from the surface, leading to increased costs and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The development of a canister system with a housing, chamber, piston, and trigger mechanism for downhole deployment of reagents, allowing for controlled and timely release of chemicals, such as acids, to break fluid loss control agents or perform other operations, reducing the need for large surface pumping volumes and minimizing formation damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chemicals are pumped from the surface through tubings or conduits to desired zones, then chemicals can be delivered to downhole locations, but large volumes must be pumped and it is difficult to time and quantify the chemicals needed
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical delivery system is segmented into discrete deployment canisters positioned at specific downhole zones. Each canister contains a predetermined quantity of chemical and can be activated independently, allowing precise timing and quantification of chemical release without pumping large volumes from surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Chemicals are pre-loaded into deployment canisters at the surface before downhole deployment. This preliminary action allows exact quantification of chemical quantities and eliminates the need for large-volume pumping operations during well operations, as the chemicals are already prepared and positioned at target zones.
2Reliability
If fluid loss control agents are used during gravel packing, then fluid loss is controlled, but the agents may damage formations if they remain in the formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful fluid loss control agents from the formation by deploying chemical breakers through the deployment canister system. The breaker chemicals react with and neutralize the fluid loss agents, allowing them to be removed or rendered harmless, thereby eliminating formation damage while maintaining the reliability of fluid loss control during the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables discarding of harmful fluid loss control agents by introducing breaker chemicals that neutralize these agents in situ. The broken-down chemicals can then be safely discarded or recovered without causing formation damage, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fluid loss control reliability and preventing formation damage.
3Productivity
If gravel is mixed with carrier fluid and pumped as slurry into the wellbore, then gravel is deposited in the formation, but carrier fluid may leak into formations increasing time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluid loss control agents as intermediaries during gravel packing operations. These agents temporarily seal off carrier fluid from leaking into formations, allowing efficient gravel deposition without fluid loss. The agents are later removed using the deployment canister system, resolving the time loss issue while maintaining packing efficiency.
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 efficient and controlled deployment of chemicals downhole, reducing operational costs and time by allowing 'on-demand' release of reagents at specific zones, thereby improving the efficiency of chemical deployment and minimizing interference with other downhole operations.
Implementation Method 1
a piston configured to move in the chamber... activating the trigger mechanism to move the piston to deploy the reagent
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for deployment of a reagent downhole includes a housing configured to move in a borehole; a chamber for storing the reagent, wherein the chamber is disposed in the housing and has one or more outlets for dispensing the reagent; a piston configured to move in the chamber; and a trigger mechanism. A method for deploying a reagent downhole includes disposing a tool downhole, wherein the tool comprises a canister storing the reagent, wherein the canister includes a housing configured to move in a borehole, a chamber for storing the reagent, wherein the chamber is disposed in the housing and has one or more outlets for dispensing the reagent, a piston configured to move in the chamber, and a trigger mechanism; and activating the trigger mechanism to move the piston to deploy the reagent.