Downhole Release Tool With Combustion-Actuated Lock Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing release tools for securing and releasing downhole tools in wellbores are unreliable due to failures caused by bending and tension forces, leading to potential toolstring sticking and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A release tool with a downhole housing and uphole assembly, featuring a lock ring and movable wedge mechanism, powered by a combustion element to transition between locked and unlocked states, allowing secure connection and reliable disconnection of the toolstring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ballistic release tool is used to disconnect the wireline from the toolstring, then the risk of toolstring sticking is reduced, but the tool may fail due to bending and tension forces during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The release tool is divided into separate functional components: a lock ring for securing, a movable wedge for actuation, and a combustion element for power. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the lock ring designed to withstand bending forces while the wedge and combustion element handle tension forces during deployment and release operations
Solution Approach 2:
The lock ring is designed as a dynamic component that can deflect radially inward from a locked state to an unlocked state. This dynamic behavior allows the lock ring to adapt to varying operational conditions, maintaining secure connection during normal operations while enabling controlled release when the movable wedge actuates it during retrieval operations
2Strength
If the lock ring is pressed outwardly towards the locking groove to prevent deflection, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the movable wedge mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wedge acts as an intermediary mechanism between the combustion element and the lock ring. When the combustion element generates pressure, it actuates the movable wedge, which in turn applies the necessary force to the lock ring to transition it from the locked to unlocked state. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall control mechanism while maintaining strong connection during normal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic or hydraulic actuation systems with a purely mechanical solution using the movable wedge and combustion element. The combustion element provides mechanical pressure that directly actuates the wedge, which then mechanically releases the lock ring. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or electronic controls
3Productivity
If the toolstring is pulled uphole through the casing string after perforating, then the completion operation is completed, but frictional drag on the wireline increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The release tool is activated during the retrieval operation after the perforating guns have been fired and the toolstring has been pulled uphole through the casing string. The combustion element is ignited to actuate the movable wedge, which releases the lock ring and disconnects the wireline from the toolstring. This preliminary action eliminates frictional drag by separating the wireline from the stuck toolstring before the wireline is retrieved to the surface
Solution Approach 2:
The release tool extracts the wireline from the stuck toolstring by disconnecting the two components. The movable wedge mechanism pushes the lock ring radially inward, releasing it from the locking groove, which allows the wireline to be separated from the toolstring. This extraction eliminates the frictional drag that would otherwise prevent wireline retrieval
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
The release tool provides a robust and reusable solution for securing and releasing downhole tools, reducing the risk of toolstring sticking and minimizing downtime by ensuring reliable disconnection even under significant bending and tension forces.
Implementation Method 1
a combustion element configured to propel the movable wedge from the first position to the second position to release the downhole housing from the uphole assembly in response the release tool receiving a release signal
Data Source
AI summary
A release tool for connecting a workstring to a toolstring. The release tool will be used for contingency if the toolstring gets stuck downhole and hopefully rarely would be actuated. In the present disclosure, the release tool is not broken or destroyed, but is simply disconnected into two parts using the propellent of a low explosive combustion element. This element produces gasses that drive the disconnecting process. The gasses are directed to press a tubular piston to translate from a first position where a wedging portion of the tubular piston is inside a lock ring bracing the lock ring in a locking configuration to a second position where the wedging portion is out of contact with the lock ring. The lock ring is then able to slip free from one or more locking grooves releasing the upper portion of the release tool from the lower.