Expandable Packer With Embedded Flexible Flowline

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing downhole packer systems face challenges in effectively sealing irregular wellbore walls and maintaining efficient fluid sampling due to rigidity and inability to conform to non-smooth or non-straight wellbore surfaces, leading to contamination and reduced differential pressure.

Innovation Solution

A downhole packer assembly with an expandable outer skin and embedded flexible flowlines that flex radially as the inner packer inflates, allowing the assembly to conform to wellbore irregularities and improve sealing efficiency, incorporating elastomeric materials and structural features like alternating diameters and inserts for enhanced flexibility and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid packer system is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the ability to conform to irregular wellbore walls is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidability to conform to irregular wellbore walls

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The packer system transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic system where the outer skin can expand and flex radially to adapt to irregular wellbore surfaces. The outer skin is designed with flexible material properties that allow it to change shape while maintaining structural integrity during expansion and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The outer skin is constructed as a flexible thin-walled structure that can conform to irregular wellbore surfaces. This flexible shell design allows the packer to adapt to non-smooth or non-straight wellbore walls while maintaining sufficient structural strength to contain internal pressure and support the sampling system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid flowline is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to flex with packer expansion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidability to flex with packer expansion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flowline is designed as a flexible dynamic structure rather than a rigid static one. It can flex and deform radially as the packer expands, allowing the flowline to move with the changing geometry of the outer skin while maintaining its functional integrity for fluid transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flowline is constructed using flexible material that allows it to bend and flex as the outer skin expands radially. This flexible tube design enables the flowline to accommodate the dimensional changes of the packer system while maintaining sufficient structural stability to prevent collapse and ensure reliable fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the outer skin expands to seal against irregular wellbore walls, then sealing capability is improved, but the rigidity of embedded flowlines is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidrigidity of embedded flowlines

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The outer skin is designed as a flexible expansion element that can radially deform to conform to irregular wellbore surfaces, creating an effective seal. The embedded flowlines are also made flexible to match this behavior, allowing the entire assembly to expand uniformly without creating stress concentrations that would compromise flowline rigidity or sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes changes in physical parameters during operation - specifically, the transition from a compressed to an expanded state. The outer skin and flowlines are designed with material properties that allow them to change their effective rigidity and flexibility depending on the expansion state, providing both sealing capability when expanded and sufficient structural integrity when compressed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The flexible flowline design enhances sealing capabilities, reduces sample contamination, maintains sufficient differential pressure, and improves sampling efficiency by conforming to wellbore irregularities, thereby facilitating more effective fluid collection and analysis.

Implementation Method 1

an inner packer disposed within the outer skin such that inflation of the inner packer is configured to expand the outer skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a flexible flowline at least partially embedded within the outer skin. The flexible flowline is configured to flex as the outer skin expands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10246998B2Systems and methods for an expandable packer

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a downhole packer assembly that includes an outer skin, an inner packer disposed within the outer skin such that inflation of the inner packer is configured to expand the outer skin, and a flexible flowline at least partially embedded within the outer skin. The flexible flowline is configured to flex as the outer skin expands.