Disconnect Tool System for Hydraulic Fracturing Liner Top
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for hydraulic fracturing require multiple trips downhole to determine and cut the casing, increasing operational complexity and limiting the internal diameter for artificial lift equipment.
Innovation Solution
A disconnect tool system that allows for a predetermined disconnection of the upper and lower tool portions at a predetermined location, maintaining a continuous inner diameter for the entire tool and casing system, enabling standard tool sizes to pass through and protecting the parent casing from fracturing pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If casing is run all the way to the surface for hydraulic fracturing, then the integrity and continuous inner diameter are maintained, but the operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion that can be disconnected at a predetermined location. The lower portion remains in the wellbore to maintain casing integrity, while the upper portion can be removed, reducing operational complexity for refracturing jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnect location is predetermined before running the tool downhole. The upper and lower portions are designed with matching connection interfaces that allow for predetermined disconnection, eliminating the need for multiple trips to determine and cut the casing after cementing.
2Reliability
If new casing is run inside old casing for refracturing, then the targeted zone can be isolated, but the internal diameter is reduced limiting artificial lift equipment size
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly is segmented into upper and lower portions with a predetermined disconnect location. After refracturing is complete, the upper portion is disconnected and removed, restoring the original larger internal diameter of the parent casing for artificial lift operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool configuration changes from a connected state during refracturing to a disconnected state after the job. The upper portion can be dynamically removed to restore the original casing internal diameter, allowing flexibility in equipment selection for production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple trips are made to determine free point and cut casing, then the refracturing can be performed, but the time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect location is predetermined before running the tool downhole. The upper portion is designed to be disconnected at this predetermined location after the refracturing job, eliminating the need for multiple trips to determine the free point and cut the casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool assembly includes built-in mechanisms for predetermined disconnection. The upper portion can be self-disconnected or easily disconnected at the predetermined location using the matching interfaces, reducing the need for additional intervention trips.
4Length of moving object
If the upper portion of the tool has a smaller inner diameter, then the tool can be run in hole, but it restricts the internal diameter of the casing above or below the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into upper and lower portions with a predetermined disconnect location. The upper portion can have a smaller inner diameter for runability, but after disconnection and removal, the original larger internal diameter of the casing is restored, eliminating the restriction on fluid flow and equipment passage.
Data Source
AI summary
Disconnecting an upper portion of a tool from a lower portion of a tool after a fracturing operation, wherein the upper portion has a same inner diameter as the lower portion. Specifically, the upper portion may be utilized during the fracturing job and be disconnected from the lower portion after the fracturing job.