Downhole Injection Tool With Segmented Stings for Even Annulus Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing downhole injection systems often fail to distribute sealing material evenly around the circumference of the annular space, leading to leak paths or weak spots along the longitudinal direction within the annulus.

Innovation Solution

A downhole injection tool with at least two stings, each connected to a dedicated treatment fluid cannister, allowing for independent fluid communication and controlled injection through each sting to ensure even distribution of the treatment fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiple stings share a common fluid passage and reservoir, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fluid distribution homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid passage configurationVSAvoidfluid distribution homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single common fluid passage into multiple separate fluid passages, with each sting having its own dedicated passage and reservoir connection. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow to each sting, ensuring homogeneous distribution around the tubular while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If a single reservoir supplies fluid to multiple stings, then the quantity of substance required is reduced, but the fluid distribution homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment fluid volumeVSAvoidfluid distribution homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single reservoir into multiple separate reservoirs, each supplying fluid to a specific sting. This allows precise control of fluid quantity to each location, ensuring homogeneous distribution while the total fluid volume required remains proportional to the annular space to be treated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each reservoir-sting combination provides localized fluid supply tailored to specific spatial requirements around the tubular. This local quality approach ensures that each sting receives appropriate fluid quantities for its specific position, achieving homogeneous overall distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If punches are forced radially against the casing by pressurized fluid, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision of sealing material distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperforation speedVSAvoidsealing material distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the perforation and injection process into independently controllable operations at each sting location. The punches can be forced radially against the casing with pressurized fluid for high productivity, while the sealing material injection is controlled separately through dedicated fluid passages to each sting, ensuring uniform distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows preliminary perforation of the casing at multiple locations using pressurized fluid to force punches radially. Subsequently, sealing material can be injected through the created passages in a controlled manner, ensuring uniform distribution while maintaining high productivity in the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4430265B1Downhole injection tool and method for injecting a fluid in an annulus surrounding a downhole tubular
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV
  • EP4430265B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4430265B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A downhole injection tool for injecting a treatment fluid in a space surrounding a downhole tubular installed in a borehole in the Earth is based on an elongate tool housing extending around a central longitudinal tool axis. At least two stings are provided, each having a fluid channel. At least two treatment fluid cannisters are provided in the downhole injection tool, for holding the treatment fluid that is to be injected. A first cannister of the at least two treatment fluid cannisters is fluidly connected with the exterior of the tool housing via a first sting of the at least two stings, but not via a second sting of the at least two stings. A second cannister of the at least two treatment fluid cannisters is fluidly connected with the exterior of the tool housing via the second sting, but not via the first sting.