Downhole Tool Holder Alignment Mechanism for Side Pocket Mandrels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kick over tools for deploying gas lift valves into side pocket mandrels risk misalignment and damage due to bending forces, leading to potential disruption in hydrocarbon flow and damage to sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A downhole apparatus that maintains the tool's longitudinal axis parallel to the mandrel's axis during deployment, utilizing a displacement mechanism with biasing means like leaf springs to ensure axial alignment and minimize bending forces, and a trigger device to facilitate smooth deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the kick over tool is pulled back to fire the trigger mechanism, then the tool deployment is activated, but the tool may become misaligned with the side pocket mandrel causing incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning finger acts as an intermediary element between the trigger mechanism and the tool holder. The finger must be fully received within a recess to enable trigger operation, ensuring the tool is correctly positioned before deployment can occur. This intermediate element enforces proper alignment as a prerequisite for activation.
2Productivity
If the gas lift valve is lowered into the side pocket while attached to the kick over tool, then the valve is deployed, but bending forces are applied to the valve causing damage to sealing packings and internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment process is segmented into distinct phases: first the tool holder with the valve is lowered into the side pocket while still attached to the kick over tool, then the valve is separated from the tool holder, and finally the tool holder is pulled out. This segmentation allows the valve to be positioned accurately without being subjected to bending forces during the attachment phase, and enables clean separation before the tool holder is retrieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is preliminarily positioned in the side pocket while attached to the kick over tool before final deployment. The tool holder is lowered first to establish correct positioning, then the valve is detached in the predetermined position, avoiding bending forces that would occur if the valve were lowered while fully attached.
3Ease of operation
If the trigger mechanism is positioned to be accessible during tool running, then the trigger can be operated, but the trigger may be accidentally fired by contact with other parts of the mandrel
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger mechanism is made accessible only in the specific local region where the recess is positioned on the mandrel. The recess creates a localized access point that allows trigger operation only when the positioning finger is correctly received, preventing accidental activation elsewhere on the mandrel surface.
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
Ensures accurate and damage-free deployment of tools into side pocket mandrels, maintaining tool alignment and reducing the risk of misplacement and damage, thereby preserving the integrity of the gas lift valves and ensuring uninterrupted hydrocarbon flow.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a displacement mechanism with biasing means like leaf springs to ensure axial alignment
Implementation Method 2
A displacement mechanism adapted to move the tool holder from a run-in position, in which the tool holder is adjacent the body, to a displaced position
Data Source
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AI summary
A downhole apparatus (10) for depositing a tool (12) in a side pocket mandrel (22) is described. The apparatus comprises an apparatus body (16), a tool holder (18) and a displacement mechanism (20) for connecting the tool holder to the apparatus body. The tool holder is movable between a run-in position, in which the tool holder is adjacent the body, to a displaced position, in which the tool holder is spaced away from the body As a tool is moved between the run-in position and the displaced position, a tool longitudinal axis remains substantially parallel to an apparatus body longitudinal axis.