Dual End Firing Explosive Column Tools for Tubular Wall Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for expanding tubular structures, such as pipes, in the petroleum drilling industry lack control over explosive shock waves, often leading to severing or penetration, and are costly for operations like plug-and-abandonment and side-tracking.

Innovation Solution

Dual end firing explosive column tools and shaped charge tools that selectively control the shock wave to achieve controlled radial expansion of tubular walls without severing, using bi-directional boosters and explosive pellets to create a focused energetic reaction, allowing for strategic protrusions into annuli for improved sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional explosive cutting devices are used to sever tubular structures, then cutting efficiency is improved, but control over the explosive shock wave is lost leading to unwanted severing or penetration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol over explosive shock wave

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The explosive charge is segmented into multiple discrete explosive elements arranged in a specific pattern, allowing controlled distribution of shock wave energy to achieve expansion without complete severing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The explosive elements are strategically positioned to create localized shock wave effects at specific regions of the tubular wall, enabling selective expansion while maintaining control over the overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If explosive force is increased to achieve greater radial expansion, then expansion effectiveness is improved, but risk of breaching the tubular wall increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial expansion forceVSAvoidrisk of wall breaching

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The explosive force is calibrated to provide partial expansion action that achieves the desired radial protrusion without exceeding the wall's breach threshold, using controlled amounts of explosive material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

A shaped charge mechanism acts as an intermediary between the explosive material and the tubular wall, transforming the explosive energy into a controlled jet that pushes the wall radially without direct contact that would cause breaching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If selective wall expansion is achieved without severing, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidexplosive column tool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The explosive column tool is designed to perform multiple functions including controlled expansion, sealing enhancement, and potential reinforcement of the tubular structure, reducing the need for separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 controlled expansion reduces costs by enhancing sealing capabilities, minimizing annulus flow, and increasing the tubular wall's yield strength without breaching, thus optimizing operations like plug-and-abandonment and side-tracking.

Implementation Method 1

The explosive material can be initiated to form a shock wave that can travel radially outward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 2

an explosive shock wave which may have a pressure force as high as 20,684,272 Kpa (3,000.000 psi), advances radially along a plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock wave: Shock Wave

Implementation Method 3

detonating the plurality of bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExplosion: Explosion

Data Source

PatentUS11713637B2Dual end firing explosive column tools and methods for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 RAIRIGH JAMES G

AI summary

A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.