Downhole Wireline Tubular Segmentation for Zonal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to optimize wells with water production issues by effectively isolating zones and maintaining hydrocarbon production, often leading to inefficient plugging and abandonment of wells with productive areas.
Innovation Solution
A downhole method involving a wireline tool with an anchor section and machining device to segment well tubular metal structures into manageable sections, followed by insertion of an annular barrier for zonal isolation and cementing to facilitate well optimization and abandonment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patch is inserted over a perforated zone to isolate water-producing zones, then water production from that zone is blocked, but water may flow parallelly on the outside of the well tubular metal structure into other producing zones if cement sealing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The well tubular metal structure is divided into multiple separable sections using a machining device that cuts the tubular into discrete segments. This segmentation allows selective removal of problematic sections while preserving other sections, enabling targeted zonal isolation without requiring complex overall well structure modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes specific sections of the well tubular metal structure that are causing water production issues. By using a machining device to cut and separate problematic sections, the solution removes the source of the problem rather than attempting to seal around it, preventing parallel water flow paths.
2Reliability
If cement is used to seal the annulus to prevent water flow, then zonal isolation is achieved, but the well may still be difficult to optimize and may require plugging and abandonment
Solution Approach 1:
The well structure is made dynamic and adaptable through the ability to remove and replace tubular sections. Instead of permanent cement sealing that limits future options, the machining-based section removal allows the well configuration to be modified as production needs change, maintaining long-term productivity and optimization flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and configuration of the well structure by removing sections rather than permanently sealing them. This parameter change from fixed sealed structure to modifiable structure allows ongoing optimization while maintaining zonal isolation through properly designed section removal and replacement procedures.
3Productivity
If the entire well tubular metal structure is removed and replaced, then complete optimization is possible, but large rigs and extensive operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the entire well tubular structure, the invention segments it into manageable sections using a machining device. This allows selective removal of only the sections that need optimization, dramatically reducing operation complexity and equipment requirements compared to complete structure replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the specific sections of the well tubular metal structure that require optimization or are causing problems. This selective extraction approach maintains the beneficial portions of the existing structure while removing problematic areas, reducing overall operation complexity and equipment needs.
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 efficient removal and replacement of well tubular metal structures, allowing for targeted isolation and plugging of deteriorated zones while preserving productive areas, reducing the need for large rigs and enhancing well management efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
anchoring the downhole wireline tool opposite the first section by activating the anchor section to abut an inner surface of the first well tubular metal structure
Implementation Method 2
separating the first section having a length of 8-12 metres from a second section of the first well tubular metal structure by machining into and along a circumference of the first well tubular metal structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a downhole method for removal of at least part of a first well tubular metal structure in a borehole of an existing well having a top, the first well tubular metal structure having a longitudinal extension and a first end closest to the top, comprising inserting a downhole wireline tool having an anchor section and a machining device in the first well tubular metal structure, positioning the downhole wireline tool opposite the first section of the first well tubular metal structure so that the machining device is positioned 8-12 metres from the first end of the first well tubular metal structure and the anchor section is arranged above the machining device, anchoring the downhole wireline tool opposite the first section by activating the anchor section to abut an inner surface of the first well tubular metal structure, separating the first section having a length of 8-12 metres from a second section of the first well tubular metal structure by machining into and along a circumference of the first well tubular metal structure, retrieving the first section from the well by pulling in the wireline creating a new first end of the first well tubular metal structure in the well, inserting the downhole wireline tool into the first well tubular metal structure again, positioning the downhole wireline tool opposite the new first section of the first well tubular metal structure so that the machining device is positioned 8-12 metres from the new first end of the first well tubular metal structure and the anchor section is arranged above the machining device, anchoring the downhole wireline tool opposite the new first section by activating the anchor section to abut the inner surface of the first well tubular metal structure, separating the new first section having a length of 8-12 metres from the rest of the first well tubular metal structure by machining into and along the circumference of the first well tubular metal structure, and retrieving the new first section from the well by pulling in the wireline.