Expandable Wellbore Liner Decoupling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of assembling and disassembling wellbore liner systems with expandable liners and setting tools requires a sequential process, making it difficult to modify or access specific components without disassembling the entire system, which is inefficient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method and tool design that allows decoupling of the wellbore liner from the setting tool while maintaining the expansion cone drive sub-assembly intact, enabling the liner latching member to be changed from latched to unlatched without disassembling the expansion cone driving sub-assembly or the liner, allowing for easier access and modification of the setting tool and liner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the setting tool and liner are assembled with multiple components requiring sequential assembly, then the liner can be securely coupled to the setting tool for expansion, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure coupling of liner to setting toolVSAvoidassembly and disassembly procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting tool is divided into distinct modular components: an expansion cone drive sub-assembly that remains substantially assembled, and a liner latching member that can be independently coupled and decoupled from the liner. This segmentation allows the liner to be attached and detached without disassembling the entire setting tool, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure coupling during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If sequential assembly is used to ensure proper configuration of components, then the liner system can be reliably assembled, but the time required for assembly and modification increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper configuration of componentsVSAvoidassembly and modification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion cone drive sub-assembly is pre-assembled and configured before the liner is coupled to the setting tool. This preliminary action ensures that the critical expansion mechanism is ready and properly configured, eliminating the need to disassemble and reconfigure this complex sub-assembly when modifying or replacing the liner, thereby reducing modification time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the entire setting tool must be disassembled to access or modify specific components, then complete access is achieved, but the operational efficiency decreases due to time loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The liner latching member is designed as a separable component that can be independently removed from the setting tool without disassembling the expansion cone drive sub-assembly. This extraction capability allows operators to access, modify, or replace the liner quickly by simply detaching the latching member, significantly improving operational efficiency while maintaining ease of access to critical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the setting tool is designed with a fully assembled expansion cone drive sub-assembly, then the tool maintains structural integrity and reliability, but the ability to modify or access internal components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of setting toolVSAvoidability to modify components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The setting tool is segmented into a permanently assembled expansion cone drive sub-assembly that maintains structural integrity and reliability, and a separately attachable liner latching member that provides adaptability. This segmentation allows the core functional components to remain fixed and reliable while enabling easy modification of the liner attachment mechanism, thus achieving both reliability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates easier assembly, disassembly, and modification of the wellbore liner system, reducing the complexity and time required for changes, while maintaining the integrity of the expansion cone driving sub-assembly and liner, thus enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an expandable wellbore liner that is intended to be radially, plastically deformed while in a wellbore. Such liners are often set in another tubular or against the interior wall of the wellbore by radially, plastically deforming the expandable liner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

a hydraulic chamber assembly, that is responsive hydraulic pressure to drive the expansion cone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS8261842B2Expandable wellbore liner system

Publication Date: 2012.09.11 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A setting tool has an expansion cone drive sub-assembly operable to axially move an expansion cone of the setting tool through the liner to radially, plastically expand the liner. With the wellbore liner residing outside of a wellbore, the setting tool is changed to enable decoupling the wellbore liner from the setting tool while leaving at least the expansion cone drive sub-assembly substantially assembled.