Expandable Filter Cake Disrupting Member for Bore Wall Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing filter cake from bore walls are inefficient, leading to partial cake removal and increased flow resistance, which limits hydrocarbon production and can result in water production in deviated or horizontal bores.
Innovation Solution
A downhole apparatus with a tubular having a retracted and extended configuration, featuring a filter cake-disrupting member with varying radial extent to effectively disrupt and remove filter cake by expanding radially and contacting the bore wall, facilitating movement and fluid flow to optimize production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional scratchers or cleaning fluids are used to remove filter cake, then some filter cake removal is achieved, but only partial removal occurs and flow resistance remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs an expandable tubular structure that transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployment state downhole. This dynamic configuration allows the disrupting member to contact the bore wall effectively when expanded, while maintaining ease of delivery when compressed. The expandable nature enables the system to overcome the limitations of static conventional scratchers and achieve more complete filter cake removal, thereby reducing flow resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and configuration parameters of the tubular structure. By transitioning between compressed and expanded states, the apparatus alters its radial dimension and contact pressure with the bore wall. This parameter change enables the disrupting member to effectively engage and remove filter cake that conventional methods cannot fully eliminate, thus addressing the contradiction between removal efficiency and remaining flow resistance.
2Productivity
If the tubular is expanded to contact the bore wall for filter cake disruption, then filter cake removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: the tubular structure, the disrupting member mounted on the tubular, and the expansion mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently. The disrupting member can be optimized for filter cake contact while the tubular handles expansion and delivery, simplifying the overall design despite the expandable functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The disrupting member is mounted on the tubular in a nested arrangement, where the disrupting elements are contained within or on the surface of the tubular structure. In the compressed delivery state, the disrupting member is compacted within the tubular. Upon expansion, the disrupting member extends to contact the bore wall. This nesting principle reduces device complexity by integrating multiple functions into a compact, space-efficient configuration.
3Productivity
If filter cake is not removed, then bore wall coverage is maintained, but hydrocarbon production is limited and water production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary filter cake disruption and removal before hydrocarbon production begins. By eliminating the filter cake barrier in advance, the system ensures that subsequent hydrocarbon production is not limited by flow resistance. This preliminary action also prevents water influx by removing the pathway that filter cake would otherwise block, thereby protecting production integrity before issues arise.
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 apparatus reduces flow resistance, enhances hydrocarbon production by ensuring even fluid distribution across the bore section, and minimizes water production by spreading fluid flow, thus maintaining optimal production rates and preventing water influx.
Implementation Method 1
a tubular having a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, in the extended configuration a filter cake-disrupting member mounted on the tubular defining high points or otherwise having an outer surface of varying radial extent for disrupting or disturbing filter cake
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a tubular (124) having a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The tubular (124) is initially provided in the retracted configuration and run into a bore (60) at least partially lined with filter cake (62). The tubular (124) is extended such that a filter cake-disrupting member (56) mounted on the tubular (124) defines high points or otherwise has an outer surface of varying radial extent for disrupting or disturbing the filter cake (62).