Selective Torque-Coupling Downhole Swivel for Screen Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivels used in oil and gas wells risk damaging sand control screens or liners during deployment due to insufficient down-weight and rotation, and there is a need for a mechanism to selectively decouple and recouple rotation between tubular sections while maintaining connection.
Innovation Solution
A downhole swivel with a housing, inner tubular, engaging member, and a rotation coupler that can be selectively positioned to transmit torque or permit relative rotation, controlled by a downhole actuator, allowing for rotational locking or free rotation between the inner tubular and housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the workstring is rotated to reduce friction during deployment, then the required down-weight is reduced, but the screens or liners may be damaged due to rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The workstring is segmented into distinct rotational zones using a swivel assembly that decouples the proximal section (which can be rotated) from the distal section (which remains stationary). This allows the upper workstring to rotate for friction reduction while the lower screen/liner section remains non-rotational to prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel assembly acts as an intermediary component between the rotatable workstring section and the non-rotatable screen/liner section. It selectively transmits or blocks rotational torque, serving as a mediator that protects the screen/liner from rotation while allowing the upper section to rotate freely.
2Loss of energy
If the swivel permits free rotation between tubular sections, then friction is reduced, but connection integrity between sections may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel assembly provides dynamic, selective rotational coupling rather than a fixed connection. The rotation coupler can be positioned to either transmit torque (maintaining connection integrity) or permit free rotation (reducing friction), allowing the system to adapt its connection characteristics based on operational requirements.
3Strength
If the rotation coupler is selectively positioned to transmit torque, then connection between housing and inner tubular is maintained, but relative rotation is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation coupler provides dynamic, selective rotational coupling rather than a fixed connection. The rotation coupler can be positioned to either transmit torque (maintaining connection integrity) or permit free rotation (reducing friction), allowing the system to adapt its connection characteristics based on operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole swivel includes a housing and an inner tubular positioned at least partially within the housing. The downhole swivel also includes an engaging member coupled to or integral with an end of the inner tubular, such that the engaging member and the inner tubular are rotationally locked together. The downhole swivel also includes a rotation coupler selectively positionable relative to the engaging member. The rotation coupler has a first position in which the rotation coupler transmits torque between the housing and the inner tubular, and a second position in which the rotation coupler permits relative rotation between the housing and the inner tubular.