Gas Driven Wireline Release Tool for Horizontal Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireline release tools are unreliable in horizontal well zones and can affect the electrical signal and reliability of perforating gun strings, leading to challenges in releasing stuck equipment and retrieving wireline cables.
Innovation Solution
A wireline release tool with a gas generator that generates pressure to shear a shearable element, allowing the tool to transition from a closed to an open position, enabling the release of the wireline from the tool string, and includes dampening ports to manage recoil and vent gas pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wireline release tools are used, then the tool string can be released, but the release is unreliable in horizontal well zones and can affect electrical signal reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas generator that produces pressurized gas to drive the release mechanism. The gas pressure forces a piston to move, which in turn actuates the release of the wireline from the tool string. This pneumatic approach provides reliable actuation without the electrical interference problems associated with conventional electrical release mechanisms, particularly in horizontal well zones where gravitational and positional variations can affect mechanical and electrical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional electrical release mechanisms with a mechanically-driven pneumatic system. The gas generator creates pressure that moves a piston, which then mechanically actuates the release through a series of mechanical components including a release arm and latching mechanism. This substitution eliminates the electrical signal interference issues while maintaining reliable release functionality.
2Reliability
If high pressure is generated to ensure reliable release, then release reliability improves, but recoil damage and operational delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dampening port as an intermediary element between the gas generator and the external environment. This port allows controlled venting of excess gas pressure, acting as a mediator that reduces the harmful recoil effects while maintaining sufficient pressure for reliable release. The dampening port gradually releases pressure, preventing sudden explosive decompression that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening port is designed to vent gas pressure in a controlled manner before it can build up to damaging levels. By providing a predetermined pressure relief pathway, the system cushions against the harmful effects of excessive pressure and recoil, protecting the tool string and surrounding equipment from damage while ensuring the release mechanism has sufficient pressure to function reliably.
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 reliably releases the wireline from stuck tool strings in horizontal well zones, ensuring electrical reliability and facilitating the retrieval of valuable wireline cables, while minimizing damage and operational delays.
Implementation Method 1
a gas generator disposed in the chamber between the first connector and the second connector... capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber greater than an external pressure outside the wireline release tool within the well and sufficient to shear the shearable element and to force the lower housing portion from the initial position to the release position
Implementation Method 2
The lower housing portion is shearably attached... Upon shearing of the shearable element, the lower housing portion is slidable with respect to the upper housing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to detach the connector from the casing.