Electromagnetic Wellbore Tractor Suspension System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireline tools face challenges in navigating highly deviated and horizontal wellbores without relying on gravity, as conventional tractors with wheels increase tool size and require excessive force, while alternatives like coiled tubing or drillpipe increase costs and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrodynamic or electromagnetic suspension system that uses wellbore fluids to propel a magnetic tractor casing, eliminating the need for wheels and allowing for efficient movement within the wellbore by maintaining an annular space between the tractor and the borehole through angled opening assemblies and magnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional tractors with wheels are used to push wireline tools in highly deviated and horizontal wellbores, then the tools can be forced into the hole, but the force required increases significantly and the tool size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical wheeled tractor system with an electrodynamic or electromagnetic suspension system. Instead of using wheels that require friction and mechanical force to push against the wellbore wall, the invention uses electromagnetic fields to levitate and propel the tool string through the wellbore, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and reducing the force required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes wellbore fluids in conjunction with the electromagnetic suspension system to move the tool string forward and backward. The fluids work together with the electromagnetic fields to provide propulsion without requiring excessive force or large tractor dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If conventional tractors with wheels are used, then tool string can be maneuvered, but the gross size of the tool increases which limits applicability to diverse sized holes
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical wheeled system with an electromagnetic suspension system, the patent creates a more compact and adaptable tractor design that can maneuver effectively in various wellbore configurations and sizes without requiring large dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic suspension system provides universal applicability across diverse well sizes and configurations. The system can adapt to different wellbore dimensions and geometries, making it versatile for various drilling and production operations without requiring size-specific modifications.
3Productivity
If coiled tubing or drillpipe is used to push tools through the wellbore, then tools can be moved, but the number of trips in the wellbore increases making it higher cost and lower efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional coiled tubing or drillpipe pushing methods with an electromagnetic suspension system that can propel tool strings bidirectionally. This eliminates the need for multiple trips to reposition tools, as the electromagnetic tractor can efficiently move tools forward and backward without requiring retrieval and re-insertion, thereby reducing operational time and increasing productivity.
4Ease of operation
If wheeled tractors are used, then tools can be pushed into the hole, but wheels can get stuck within wellbores creating operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical wheels entirely by using an electromagnetic suspension system. Without physical wheels that can contact and potentially stick to the wellbore wall, the system achieves reliable tool deployment while eliminating the risk of wheels getting stuck, thereby improving operational reliability.
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
This solution enables more efficient acceleration and deceleration of tool strings without frictional forces, reduces the risk of tools getting stuck, and allows for smaller tractor designs, suitable for diverse well sizes and shapes, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of magnets are spaced along an outer surface of the tractor body. The plurality of magnets are operable to generate a second magnetic field to interact with a first magnetic field of the magnetic tractor casing, to maintain an annular space between the tractor body and the magnetic tractor casing.
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of angled opening assemblies are spaced along the tractor body, each of the angled opening assemblies shaped to direct fluid away from the tractor body, to maintain an annular space between the magnetic tractor casing and the borehole of the subterranean well.
Implementation Method 3
By applying an electrodynamic or electromagnetic suspension system, tractors of methods and systems described herein function without wheels. The wellbore fluids are utilized to move the tool forward and backward.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for maneuvering a tool string within a borehole of a subterranean well includes a magnetic tractor casing with a central bore. A tractor body is located within the central bore of the magnetic tractor casing. A plurality of magnets are spaced along an outer surface of the tractor body, the plurality of magnets operable to generate a second magnetic field to interact with a first magnetic field of the magnetic tractor casing, to maintain an annular space between the tractor body and the magnetic tractor casing. A plurality of angled opening assemblies are spaced along the tractor body, each of the angled opening assemblies shaped to direct fluid away from the tractor body, to maintain an annular space between the magnetic tractor casing and the borehole of the subterranean well.