Expandable Mid-Completion Assembly for Wellbore Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of drilling and completing a lateral wellbore is often trip-intensive, requiring multiple downhole trips to access and re-enter a parent wellbore, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A mid-completion assembly is used that can be expanded to securely engage the inner surface of the casing, allowing existing wellbore equipment to access the parent wellbore without needing to retrieve the assembly to the surface, thereby reducing the number of trips and maintaining a large internal diameter for access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a mid-completion assembly is installed in the parent wellbore to enable lateral wellbore drilling, then the lateral wellbore can be drilled and completed, but the assembly blocks access to the parent wellbore requiring retrieval and re-entry trips

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral wellbore drilling capabilityVSAvoidnumber of trips required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mid-completion assembly incorporates an expandable device that can transition between a contracted configuration (allowing passage of wellbore equipment) and an expanded configuration (providing structural support and sealing). This dynamic transformation enables the assembly to adapt its state based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for retrieval trips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly changes its physical parameters (internal diameter, external diameter) through expansion and contraction of the expandable device. When contracted, it maintains a smaller profile that allows existing wellbore equipment to pass through; when expanded, it provides the necessary structural integrity and sealing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the mid-completion assembly is left in place to maintain access, then equipment can access the parent wellbore, but the internal diameter is reduced preventing existing equipment passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to parent wellboreVSAvoidequipment passage through assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable device allows the assembly to dynamically adjust its internal diameter. When equipment needs to pass through, the device is in a contracted state providing a larger internal passage. When structural support is needed, the device expands to provide rigidity while still allowing smaller equipment to pass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly transitions between different dimensional states through expansion and contraction. The expandable device changes the internal cross-sectional area, creating a variable dimension that can accommodate different operational requirements - larger when equipment passage is needed, smaller when structural integrity is prioritized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple trips are made to access the parent wellbore, then operations can be performed, but time and expense increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewellbore operations capabilityVSAvoidtrip time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mid-completion assembly is pre-installed in the parent wellbore before lateral wellbore drilling operations. This preliminary installation ensures that the assembly is already in place to provide structural support and sealing, eliminating the need for subsequent trips to install it or to retrieve and re-install equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for lateral wellbore drilling, maintains sealing integrity, and allows passage of wellbore equipment when in contracted state. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate operations and trips into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the number of trips required for wellbore operations, saving time and expense by enabling existing equipment to access the parent wellbore without removing the mid-completion assembly, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of wellbore operations.

Implementation Method 1

actuating an expandable device of the mid-completion assembly to sealingly engage an inner surface of the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial expansion:

Data Source

PatentUS10502028B2Expandable reentry completion device

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method includes severing a liner positioned in a first wellbore at least partially lined with casing and thereby providing a severed end, conveying a mid-completion assembly into the first wellbore and receiving the severed end within a tail pipe assembly of the mid-completion assembly, wherein a smallest inner diameter of the mid-completion assembly is greater than or equal to a smallest inner diameter of the liner and thereby permits tools sized for operations in the liner to pass through the mid-completion assembly, actuating an expandable device of the mid-completion assembly to sealingly engage an inner surface of the casing uphole from the severed end, and drilling a second wellbore extending from the first wellbore.