Selective Friction Reduction Tool With Bypass-Activated Pressure Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction reduction tools in downhole drilling operations are not optimally controlled, leading to undesirable continuous vibration when drilling vertically, which can cause inefficiencies and potential damage to the drill string.
Innovation Solution
A selectively activated friction reduction tool that transitions between stationary and dynamic modes based on variations in media flow conditions, such as flow rate, density, or viscosity, using a power assembly, valve assembly, and activation assembly to generate pressure pulses only when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a friction reduction tool is continuously operated to provide vibration to the drill string, then the drill string movement through the wellbore is facilitated, but unnecessary vibrations are generated when drilling vertically from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The friction reduction tool incorporates an activation assembly that can transition between different operational states (activated and deactivated). The valve assembly dynamically adjusts the media flow path based on drilling conditions, allowing the tool to provide vibrations when needed (horizontal/angled drilling) and remain stationary when not needed (vertical drilling), thus resolving the contradiction between facilitating drill string movement and avoiding unnecessary vibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The tool changes its operational parameters (flow rate, pressure, vibration intensity) based on the activation state. When activated, the tool allows media to flow through the valve assembly at controlled rates to generate vibrations. When deactivated, the activation assembly redirects media flow to bypass the valve assembly, eliminating vibration generation while maintaining drill string movement capability
2Power
If the activation assembly closes the bypass flow path to force media through the valve assembly, then significant pressure pulses and vibrations are generated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the media source and the valve assembly. The activation assembly controls whether media flows directly through the valve assembly (generating pressure pulses) or bypasses it (reducing complexity and vibration). This intermediary bypass path allows the system to achieve high power output when needed without permanently requiring complex valve structures to be always engaged
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 tool effectively reduces friction and facilitates smoother drilling by minimizing vibrations when not needed and generating significant vibrations when required, enhancing drilling efficiency and reducing potential damage to the drill string.
Implementation Method 1
a power assembly; a valve assembly operatively connected downstream of the power assembly, the valve assembly including a rotating valve segment and a stationary valve segment; wherein the power assembly is configured to rotate the rotating valve segment in relation to the stationary valve segment upon the media flow through the power assembly
Implementation Method 2
the valve assembly is configured to generate significant pressure pulses in a media flow column with the rotation of the rotating valve segment only when the activation assembly is in the second position
Implementation Method 3
an activation assembly operatively connected downstream of the power assembly, wherein in a first position the activation assembly provides a bypass flow path around the valve assembly for at least a portion of a media flow through the power assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A friction reduction tool configured for selective activation downhole in response to a variation in a media flow's operating condition. A valve assembly and an activation assembly are both positioned downstream of a power assembly, which is configured to rotate a rotating valve segment of the valve assembly with media flow through the tool. The activation assembly is configured to transition from a first position to a second position with the media flow operating condition variation. In the first position, the activation assembly provides a bypass flow path around the valve assembly for at least a portion of the media flow, thereby preventing the valve assembly from generating any significant pressure pulse with rotation of the rotating valve segment. In the second position, the bypass flow path is closed such that all or a majority of the media flows through the valve assembly, thereby generating a significant pressure pulse.