Gauge Cutter with Nested Lead Impression Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods require separate trips to run a gauge cutter and a lead impression block into a well to clear obstructions, which is inefficient and time-consuming, as the gauge cutter cannot clear all obstructions and needs to be removed to deploy the impression block for further analysis.
Innovation Solution
A downhole apparatus combining a gauge cutter and a lead impression block, where the impression block is initially positioned within the gauge cutter's orifice and can be deployed in a second position using a shear pin and locking mechanism, allowing both tools to be run into the well on a single trip and obtaining an impression of the obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate trips are used to run gauge cutter and lead impression block into the well, then each tool can be deployed independently, but operational time and efficiency are reduced due to multiple trips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gauge cutter and lead impression block into a single integrated downhole apparatus. The lead impression block is positioned within the orifice of the gauge cutter, allowing both tools to be deployed together on one trip. The gauge cutter has a head with an orifice, and the lead impression block is initially contained within this orifice, enabling simultaneous deployment while maintaining independent functionality of each tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead impression block is nested within the gauge cutter's orifice. The LIB body is positioned inside the orifice of the gauge cutter tubular body, with the LIB head accessible through the gauge cutter head. This nested configuration allows the smaller LIB to be contained within the larger gauge cutter structure, enabling single-trip deployment of both tools.
2Productivity
If the lead impression block is permanently fixed within the gauge cutter, then single-trip deployment is achieved, but the LIB cannot be deployed in the required second position for obtaining impressions
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the lead impression block and gauge cutter transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic changeable state. The apparatus starts with the LIB fixed within the gauge cutter orifice using a shear pin, allowing single-trip deployment. When an obstruction is encountered, the shear pin breaks, enabling the LIB to move to the second position where the LIB head extends outside the orifice for impression taking. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction between fixed deployment and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism is segmented into a shear pin that can break, separating the LIB from the gauge cutter when needed. The shear pin acts as a removable connector that maintains the LIB in the first position during deployment, then fails to allow the LIB to move to the second position for impression obtaining, providing the necessary operational flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If the gauge cutter is removed to deploy the lead impression block, then the obstruction can be analyzed, but the process requires multiple trips and increases operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge cutter and lead impression block are merged into a single deployable unit, allowing both the gauge cutter head for clearing obstructions and the lead impression block for obtaining impressions to be present in the well simultaneously on one trip. This eliminates the need to remove the gauge cutter to deploy the LIB, thereby reducing operational time while maintaining full obstruction analysis capability.
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
Enables efficient and single-trip deployment of the gauge cutter and lead impression block into the well, allowing for effective obstruction analysis and tool selection without the need for multiple trips, thereby reducing operational time and improving maintenance efficiency in well operations.
Implementation Method 1
breaking a shear pin to place the LIB in a second position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a gauge cutter, a lead impression block (LIB), a locking pin, and a locking device. The gauge cutter has a gauge cutter tubular body, a gauge cutter head, and an orifice. The LIB has an LIB body and an LIB head. The LIB is fixed in a first position within the orifice of the gauge cutter by being connected to an inner circumferential surface of the gauge cutter tubular body using a shear pin. The locking pin is disposed around the LIB body. The locking device is disposed around the inner circumferential surface of the gauge cutter tubular body and is configured to mate with the locking pin to hold the LIB in a second position within the gauge cutter. The second position includes a portion of the LIB body located within the orifice and the LIB head located outside of the orifice.