Expandable Liner Bottom Hole Assembly for Lost Circulation Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lost circulation zones in wellbores pose a challenge as they allow excessive fluid flow between the wellbore and the surrounding formation, compromising well control and requiring corrective action.
Innovation Solution
A bottom hole assembly featuring a mandrel, an inflatable bladder, and a radially expandable tubular roll is used to isolate the lost circulation zone by expanding the tubular roll against the wellbore wall, forming a seal when the bladder is inflated, and optionally includes a drill bit and underreamer for further wellbore excavation and enlargement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tubular liner is deployed in the wellbore to isolate the lost circulation zone, then fluid flow control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for expandable structures and inflation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular liner is wound into a compact tubular roll that is inserted into the wellbore in a contracted state. The roll is then expanded radially outward to form the liner against the wellbore wall, transforming from a compact storage configuration to a deployed functional configuration. This nesting approach allows the liner to be transported and deployed through the wellbore in a compact form while achieving full coverage when expanded.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner transitions from a static compact roll to a dynamic expanded state through inflation. The system uses an inflatable bladder mechanism that allows the liner to be deployed and adjusted in-situ, providing adaptability to different wellbore conditions and enabling the liner to conform to the wellbore wall for effective isolation.
2Reliability
If the tubular roll is expanded radially outward to form a seal against the wellbore wall, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the force required for expansion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an inflatable bladder mounted on the mandrel that is inflated with fluid pressure to expand the tubular roll radially outward. The pneumatic/hydraulic inflation mechanism distributes the expansion force uniformly around the circumference of the roll, enabling the liner to conform to the wellbore wall and achieve effective sealing without requiring excessive localized force.
3Ease of operation
If the tubular roll is wound into a compact form for deployment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the volume of the deployed liner increases when expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular liner is manufactured and stored in a compact tubular roll configuration that can be easily handled and deployed through the wellbore. When deployed, the roll expands radially to form the full-sized liner against the wellbore wall. This nesting principle allows the system to achieve a compact storage volume while providing a large deployed volume for effective wellbore isolation.
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
Effectively isolates the lost circulation zone by forming a seal between the wellbore and the formation, preventing excessive fluid flow and allowing for continued drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable bladder mounted on the mandrel... when the bladder is inflated the bladder extends outward into contact against the member and expands the tubular roll radially outward against a wall of the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A bottom hole assembly carrying an expandable tubular is disposed in a portion of a wellbore having a lost circulation zone, and the tubular is radially expanded to isolate the wellbore from the formation across the lost circulation zone. The expandable tubular is made up of a rolled up sheet like member and mounts along the outer periphery of a portion of the bottom hole assembly. A bladder on the bottom hole assembly is inflated for expanding the tubular radially outward against the wellbore wall. A drill bit and underreamer are included with the bottom hole assembly.