Gravel Pack Service Tool Internal Closure Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wellbore completion operations, existing methods face challenges in securing the completion string due to difficulties in delivering a wellbore projectile, such as a ball, to the ball seat, especially in deviated, uphill, or u-shaped wellbore sections, leading to inefficient fluid circulation and potential damage or obstruction by debris.
Innovation Solution
A gravel pack service tool equipped with an internal electromechanical closure device that senses pressure pulses and activates to create a fluid barrier, allowing pressurization to set a packer, which can be positioned at various locations within the service tool, including at the end of the wash pipe or below a three-way crossover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wellbore projectile (ball) is used to set the packer, then the completion string can be secured within the wellbore, but the ball has difficulty reaching the ball seat in deviated, uphill, or u-shaped wellbore sections requiring large fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ball setting mechanism and replaces it with an electronic setting mechanism. The service tool includes an electronic setting mechanism that sets the packer without requiring a ball to be circulated through the wellbore, thereby eliminating the need for large fluid circulation in deviated or complex wellbore sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical ball-setting system with an electronic control system. The service tool comprises an electronic setting mechanism that can be controlled to set the packer without the mechanical ball and ball seat system, substituting electronic control for mechanical ball circulation.
2Reliability
If a ball is circulated to the ball seat, then the packer can be set, but the ball may be damaged or obstructed by debris preventing sealing engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the ball and ball seat components from the system entirely. The service tool uses an electronic setting mechanism that operates without a ball, eliminating the ball from being exposed to debris and preventing ball damage or obstruction issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic setting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the control system and the packer setting function. Instead of directly using a ball to trigger the packer setting, the electronic mechanism provides a controlled, debris-free method to activate the setting process.
3Speed
If large fluid circulation is used to move the ball through complex wellbore sections, then the ball can reach the ball seat, but debris may be pumped along with the ball and obstruct the sealing engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ball transport function and replaces it with electronic control. The service tool descends to the desired location and sets the packer electronically without requiring ball circulation, thereby eliminating debris pumping and obstruction issues entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical ball transport system with an electronic positioning and setting system. The service tool uses electronic control to set the packer at the desired location without the need to circulate balls through the wellbore, substituting electronic control for mechanical ball transport.
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
This solution ensures reliable and efficient setting of the packer, even in complex wellbore geometries, by preventing fluid bypass and maintaining pressure to secure the completion string, thereby enhancing the gravel packing process and reducing the risk of debris obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
an internal electromechanical closure device that senses pressure pulses and activates to create a fluid barrier
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a gravel pack service tool that utilizes an internal closure device to set a packer. One disclosed system includes a completion string including at least one packer, a service tool configured to be arranged within the completion string and having an interior that provides a flow path for fluids and a crossover tool, and a closure device arranged within the flow path and being actuatable between an open position and a closed position in response to a signature pressure pulse detected by the closure device, wherein, when the closure device is in the open position, the fluids are able to bypass the closure device and flow to lower portions of the service tool, and wherein, when the closure device is in the closed position, the fluids are prevented from bypassing the closure device and a pressure within the service tool is increased to set the at least one packer.