Completion Nipple Impression Tool for Downhole Profile Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In well intervention operations, identifying the type of nipple in outdated completion tubing is often inaccurate, leading to potential installation of incorrect flow-control devices, which can result in well production loss and intervention string failure.
Innovation Solution
A tubing nipple impression device with a driver body, stopping disk, and impression arms actuated by a nose portion to create impressions of the nipple, allowing identification of the nipple type by analyzing the formed impressions at the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional drilling records are used to identify nipple types, then the process is simple and quick, but the identification accuracy is poor leading to potential installation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The impression device is deployed downhole before any flow-control device installation to create a physical record of the nipple profile. This preliminary action captures the actual nipple geometry (locking profile, seal area, thread type) before any installation decisions are made, ensuring accurate identification guides subsequent device selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The device creates a physical copy (impression) of the nipple's locking profile, seal area, and thread characteristics using impression material. This copy serves as a reliable reference that can be analyzed at surface to definitively identify the nipple type, replacing unreliable drilling records with actual physical evidence.
2Reliability
If a flow-control device with incorrect seating profile is installed, then the installation process is completed quickly, but the device becomes stuck causing well production loss and intervention string failure
Solution Approach 1:
The nipple profile is identified and recorded using the impression device before any flow-control device is selected or installed. This preliminary identification ensures that the correct device with matching seating profile is chosen, preventing stuck conditions and ensuring reliable installation while avoiding well production loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The impression creates a feedback loop where the actual nipple geometry is captured and used to select the appropriate flow-control device. This feedback mechanism ensures that installation decisions are based on actual nipple characteristics rather than assumptions, preventing mismatched installations that would cause devices to become stuck.
3Measurement precision
If the impression arms are made rigid to ensure accurate nipple profiling, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and risk of damage to completion tubing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The impression arms are designed with radial springs that allow them to dynamically adjust and flex during deployment. This dynamic design enables the arms to navigate around obstructions and adapt to the nipple geometry without applying excessive force that could damage the completion tubing, while still capturing accurate profile information.
Solution Approach 2:
The impression arms utilize flexible components including radial springs and impression material that can deform to conform to the nipple profile. This flexibility allows the device to accurately capture nipple geometry while accommodating variations in nipple dimensions and avoiding damage to the completion tubing through controlled compliance.
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 accurate identification of nipple types, preventing installation errors and ensuring proper well operations by capturing and analyzing nipple profiles without damaging the completion tubing.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second impression arms are connected to each other with upper and lower radial springs
Data Source
AI summary
A tubing nipple impression device for use within downhole tubing includes a driver body, a stopping disk, first and second impression arms, and upper and lower radial springs. The driver body extends in an axial direction along a vertical axis of the downhole tubing. The driver body further includes a nose portion, and first and second driver arms that abut against the stopping disk. The shear pin attaches the driver body to the stopping disk. The first and second impression arms are fixed to the stopping disk, and are further connected to each other with upper and lower radial springs. The first and second impression arms are actuated by the nose portion to form first and second impressions complimentary to first and second portions of a tubing nipple, respectively, when the first and second impression arms abut against the tubing nipple.