Flexible Pipe Joint for Wellbore Tortuosity Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Completion assemblies in subterranean wells with geo-steered wellbores face challenges due to tortuosity, which can cause the assemblies to become stuck or damaged from bending and torsional stresses, especially in deviated or horizontal wells with doglegs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pipe joint with a base multilayered tubular member and helically wrapped weave layers provides the necessary balance of strength and flexibility to navigate wellbore tortuosity, featuring a combination of materials like steel or nickel-chromium-based alloys for durability and resistance to buckling forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid tubular members are used in completion assemblies, then structural strength and stability are maintained, but the assembly becomes stuck or damaged when encountering wellbore tortuosity and doglegs
Solution Approach 1:
The completion assembly is divided into multiple tubular members with flexible pipe joints connecting them. Each segment can independently flex and bend, allowing the assembly to navigate tortuous wellbore paths without becoming stuck. The flexible pipe joints act as segmentation points that decouple the rigid sections, enabling each to adapt to local curvature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe joints introduce dynamic flexibility into the otherwise rigid completion assembly. These joints can bend, twist, and flex in response to wellbore curvature changes, transforming the static rigid structure into a dynamic system that adapts to tortuous paths while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible pipe joints are added to navigate wellbore tortuosity, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but structural strength and resistance to buckling forces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe joint uses composite construction combining multiple materials with complementary properties. This includes an inner liner for corrosion resistance and sealability, reinforcing members (such as steel or nickel-chromium-based alloys) for structural strength and buckling resistance, and outer protective layers. The composite structure achieves both flexibility and strength simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the flexible pipe joint have optimized local properties. The reinforcing members are strategically positioned to provide buckling resistance in high-stress areas, while the helically wrapped layers provide flexibility and torsional accommodation. The inner liner provides corrosion protection where needed, creating localized quality optimization throughout the structure.
3Reliability
If multiple flexible pipe joints are positioned throughout the completion assembly, then flexibility and damage resistance increase, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The completion assembly is segmented into modular tubular members connected by standardized flexible pipe joints. This modular approach allows for easier manufacturing and assembly compared to a monolithic structure, while the repeated use of standardized connection interfaces reduces overall complexity despite multiple joints being present.
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 pipe joint reduces the impact of wellbore tortuosity, allowing for successful deployment in challenging well profiles while maintaining structural integrity, enabling increased flexibility and reducing the risk of damage, thus enhancing the completion system's ability to maximize reservoir contact and production.
Implementation Method 1
a first weave layer, the first weave layer being helically wrapped in a first direction around an outer diameter of the base multilayered flexible tubular member; a second weave layer, the second weave layer being helically wrapped in a second direction around an outer diameter of the first weave layer
Data Source
AI summary
A completion system for running in a directional wellbore includes a plurality of tubular members mechanically secured in-line to form a production tubular. One or more isolation packers are positioned in-line with the tubular members. A lower completion guide is located at a downhole end of the production tubular and a hanger assembly located at an uphole end of the production tubular. One or more of the tubular members includes a flexible pipe joint having: a base multilayered flexible tubular member; a first weave layer, the first weave layer being helically wrapped in a first direction around an outer diameter of the base multilayered flexible tubular member; a second weave layer, the second weave layer being helically wrapped in a second direction around an outer diameter of the first weave layer; and an outer tubular layer.