Downhole Robot Docking Station via Lateral Wellbore Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole completions in oil and gas wells have restricted access and limited space, making it challenging to install and maintain downhole robots for tasks such as wellbore investigation and data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
The method involves constructing multiple tunnels along the sidewall of a wellbore for installing downhole robot docking stations and power sources externally to the wellbore, with electrical connections along the sidewall to facilitate power and data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If downhole robots are installed inside the wellbore, then they can perform downhole tasks, but the limited space and restricted access make installation and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the docking station from the internal wellbore space to the external formation by drilling a tunnel laterally from the wellbore sidewall. This dimensional transition allows the robot to access the docking station from the wellbore while the station itself occupies external space, resolving the space constraint within the wellbore.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is extracted from the wellbore interior and placed in a tunnel extending from the wellbore sidewall into the formation. This extraction removes the space-consuming element from the constrained wellbore environment while maintaining functional connectivity through the tunnel passage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are installed in the wellbore, then more functions are available, but the restricted access makes maintenance inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel acts as an intermediary space between the wellbore and the docking station. This intermediate passage allows maintenance personnel and equipment to access the docking station and its devices without directly entering the wellbore, facilitating easier maintenance while preserving multiple functional capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the docking station is placed inside the wellbore, then it is accessible to robots, but it restricts wellbore access and reduces operational space
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station is positioned in a lateral tunnel extending from the wellbore sidewall rather than inside the wellbore. Robots access the station by moving laterally through the tunnel from the wellbore, maintaining accessibility while preserving the full length and volume of the wellbore for primary operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for constructing docking stations for downhole robots is disclosed. The method includes determining locations and respective dimensions along a sidewall of a wellbore for drilling tunnels, constructing, based on the locations and respective dimensions, the tunnels extending from the sidewall of the wellbore, installing a downhole robot docking station in a first where the downhole robot docking station is disposed external to the wellbore, installing a power source in a second tunnel where the power source is disposed external to the wellbore, and connecting the downhole robot docking station and the power source via an electrical connection disposed along at least the sidewall of the wellbore.