Expandable Liner Assembly Without Lapped Threads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liner configurations in boreholes face reliability issues due to pressure concerns and suboptimal burst and collapse ratings, particularly at the hanger, which can lead to undesirable outcomes such as collapse and burst failures.

Innovation Solution

An expandable liner system is assembled by disposing a first slip subsystem, a seal, and a second slip subsystem from the uphole end of the liner, with a lock ring and anchor, eliminating lapped threads below the hanger to ensure full thickness and enhanced load capacity ratings, and utilizing a seal to protect against pressure events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If liner configurations are installed with lapped threads below the hanger, then assembly is simplified, but burst and collapse ratings are reduced and reliability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidburst and collapse rating

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lapped thread configuration from below the hanger, extracting the problematic feature that caused reliability issues. By eliminating the lapped threads in this critical region, the liner system achieves full thickness and superior burst/collapse ratings while maintaining assembly simplicity through the one-end disposal method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The liner system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the hanger region with slip subsystems for load transfer, the seal region for pressure isolation, and the full thickness region below for burst/collapse resistance. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If pressure events occur in the liner system, then operational flexibility is maintained, but load capacity rating of slip subsystems is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidload capacity rating

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seal acts as an intermediary element between the slip subsystems and the pressure environment. It isolates the slip subsystems from pressure events, preventing pressure from directly compromising their load capacity rating while allowing the system to maintain operational flexibility during pressure variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal provides beforehand protection to the slip subsystems against pressure events. By positioning the seal to block pressure pathways before pressure can reach the slip subsystems, it cushions or prevents the harmful effects of pressure on load capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If full thickness liner is used below hanger, then burst and collapse ratings are improved, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburst and collapse ratingVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The liner system applies full thickness only where needed - below the hanger in the burst/collapse critical region. The hanger region itself maintains adequate thickness for slip subsystem engagement. This localized application of full thickness optimizes material usage while achieving superior burst/collapse ratings in the critical zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11988076B2Method for assembling a liner system

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method for assembling a liner system including disposing from an uphole end of the liner a first slip subsystem, disposing from the uphole end of the liner a seal, and disposing from the uphole end of the liner a second slip subsystem.