Force Dissipation Assembly for Tubing Disconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The disconnection of downhole tools from tubing in wellbores often results in excessive force release, leading to damage to the tubing, tools, and debris dispersion due to temperature and pressure differences, causing violent disconnection and potential damage to completion tubing and tools.

Innovation Solution

A force dissipation assembly is coupled with the tubing string, featuring a housing with couplers that demarcate a cut zone, allowing controlled force release when the tubing is severed, and a severing device is used to separate the tubing sections within the assembly, preventing damage by containing the force within the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If tubing is disconnected within a wellbore, then the downhole tool can be removed or replaced, but excessive force is released causing damage to tubing, tools, and debris dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to remove or replace downhole toolsVSAvoidexcessive force release causing damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The force dissipation assembly is installed on the tubing string before disconnection operations. It includes a housing with internal features designed to cushion and dissipate the excessive force that will be released when the tubing is disconnected. This beforehand preparation prevents damage to downhole tools and tubing during the disconnection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The force dissipation assembly acts as an intermediary device between the tubing string and the downhole tools. When disconnection occurs, the assembly intercepts and manages the force release, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the tools and tubing. The housing and its internal features serve as a mediator to control the energy dissipation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If tubing is severed to disconnect sections, then tubing sections can be removed, but violent disconnection occurs due to trapped force from temperature and pressure differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to remove tubing sectionsVSAvoidviolent disconnection from trapped force

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The force dissipation assembly is pre-installed on the tubing string to cushion the violent disconnection that occurs when tubing is severed. The housing contains internal features designed to absorb and dissipate the trapped force from temperature and pressure differences, allowing tubing sections to be removed without violent disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly converts the harmful trapped force from temperature and pressure differences into a controlled energy dissipation process. By designing the housing with specific internal features, the harmful force is transformed into a manageable energy release that aids in the clean separation of tubing sections rather than causing violent disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If force is released during disconnection, then tubing sections can be separated, but debris is shaken loose from wellbore wall and settles in lower completion tubing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation of tubing sectionsVSAvoiddebris dispersion and settlement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The force dissipation assembly is installed beforehand to cushion the force release during tubing section separation. By controlling the energy dissipation within the housing, the assembly prevents excessive force from shaking debris loose from the wellbore wall, thereby avoiding contamination of the lower completion tubing while still allowing easy separation of tubing sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution effectively reduces the risk of damage to downhole tools and tubing by dissipating the released force, allowing for safe removal of tubing sections without secondary fishing trips, and equalizing pressure to prevent further damage.

Implementation Method 1

a force dissipation assembly coupled with a tubing string. The force dissipation assembly can include a housing coupled with the tubing of a tubing string and operable to provide a controlled release of force when the tubing is severed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce dissipation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a housing disposed along the length of tubing and sized to enclose the plurality of couplers therein... when the tubing is severed the first tubing section and the second tubing section slide apart and the plurality of couplers on each of the first tubing section and the second tubing section abut the housing shoulder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

equalizing pressure to prevent further damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11814918B2Force dissipation assembly for use with disconnect tools

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method for dissipating force within a tubing string including providing a severing device to a desired location within a tubing string; a cut zone along the length of the tubing, and a housing disposed along the length of tubing and sized to enclose the cut zone therein, wherein the housing includes a first end and a second end each forming a housing shoulder, severing the tubing at the cut zone using the severing device creating a first tubing section and a second tubing section; wherein the first tubing section and the second tubing section slide apart within the housing.