Expandable Liner Hanger Sealing With an Adjustable Cone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liner hanger deployment methods face issues with premature actuation of extendable slips and deformable packers due to pressure differentials, excessive loads, and failure to release from run-in tools, leading to unreliable deployment operations with numerous moving parts, activation ports, and pressure cycles.
Innovation Solution
The deployment method involves a liner hanger with an expandable pipe and a launcher chamber, using an adjustable cone that is expanded to securely suspend the liner and hanger, reducing the need for complex mechanisms by employing fluid pressure to radially expand the pipe and compress seal members against the base casing, thereby stabilizing the liner during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extendable slips and deformable packer are provided on the tubular body for anchoring and sealing, then the liner hanger can be anchored to the base casing and seal the annular space, but the extendable slips and deformable packer may prematurely be actuated when a pressure differential develops across the tubular body
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the extendable slips and deformable packer mechanisms from the tubular body, eliminating the components that cause premature actuation. Instead, the system uses the expanded tubular body itself for anchoring and sealing functions, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular body is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the structural component and the anchoring/sealing mechanism when expanded. The expansion capability allows the same component to provide both mechanical support and sealing action, eliminating the need for separate extendable slips and deformable packer components.
2Reliability
If a run-in tool with retractable dogs is used to lock the liner hanger during tripping, then the liner hanger can be securely held during deployment, but the liner hanger may release from the run-in tool dogs under excessive loads or may not release even after a ball is dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical retractable dogs system with a simplified engagement mechanism. The expanded tubular body provides friction-based anchoring to the base casing, eliminating the need for complex dog-based mechanical locking and release systems, thereby improving both holding reliability and release ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple activation ports and pressure cycles are used to complete deployment, then various functions can be activated in sequence, but the deployment process becomes more complex and less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple activation functions into a single expansion mechanism. Instead of requiring separate activation ports for slips, packer, and other components, the system uses one expansion port to simultaneously activate all anchoring and sealing functions through the expansion of the tubular body, reducing the number of pressure cycles required.
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 approach enhances the reliability of liner deployment by minimizing moving parts and pressure cycles, ensuring secure anchoring and sealing, and allowing for efficient torque transmission, thus improving the overall deployment process.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable cone of an expansion tool is inserted through the expandable pipe into the launcher chamber. The adjustable cone is formed into an expanded configuration
Implementation Method 2
employing fluid pressure to radially expand the pipe
Implementation Method 3
compress seal members against the base casing, thereby stabilizing the liner during deployment
Data Source
AI summary
A liner hanger is used for deploying a liner into a wellbore. The liner hanger includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end. The first end can include a connection to a liner. The second end can include a sealed connection to an operational pipe. The sealed connection can be releasable. An expansion tool attached to a work string can be used for suspending the liner hanger into the wellbore. At least a portion of the expandable pipe is radially expanded using the expansion tool. The radial expansion of the expandable pipe can cause compression of at least one seal member against a base casing.