Hybrid Impression Block for Wellbore Obstruction Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the oil and gas industry, identifying and assessing obstructions within well tubulars is challenging due to decreased visibility and harsh downhole conditions, leading to costly and time-consuming multiple runs of progressively smaller drift tools, which increases the risk of well control incidents.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first cylindrical rod, a second cylindrical rod with a larger diameter, and a stretchable outer sleeve that changes size upon interacting with an obstruction, allowing for detection and impression of the obstruction, thereby determining the accessible inner diameter of the tubular without requiring multiple runs of tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple runs of progressively smaller drift tools are used to assess obstructions, then the extent of the obstruction can be determined, but the time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The drift tool is segmented into multiple telescoping sections that can be extended or retracted independently. This allows the tool to present different diameters to the obstruction without requiring multiple separate tool runs, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The drift tool incorporates dynamic, adjustable diameter sections that can change size in response to detected obstructions. This dynamic adaptation allows the tool to assess obstructions of varying sizes with a single run, eliminating the need for multiple progressively smaller tools and significantly reducing operation time.
2Measurement precision
If multiple runs of drift tools are performed, then obstruction extent is determined, but the risk of well control incidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented telescoping design allows comprehensive obstruction assessment in fewer runs, reducing the cumulative risk exposure. Each segment can be independently adjusted to match the obstruction size, providing accurate characterization while minimizing the number of tool passes required through the well.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic diameter adjustment capability allows the tool to adapt to different obstruction sizes during a single run, providing complete obstruction characterization without requiring multiple runs. This reduces the time the well is exposed to potential control incidents and improves overall operational safety.
3Productivity
If a single drift tool run is used, then time and cost are reduced, but the ability to accurately assess obstruction extent is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping segmented structure enables a single drift tool run to assess multiple obstruction sizes by extending or retracting segments as needed. This maintains high productivity through reduced operation time while preserving measurement precision through adaptive diameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic diameter adjustment mechanism allows the tool to optimize its size for each specific obstruction encountered during a single run, ensuring accurate obstruction size determination while maintaining high operational efficiency through reduced trip time.
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 reduces the number of drifting runs needed, decreases the time and cost associated with assessing obstructions, and minimizes the risk of well control incidents by efficiently determining the accessible inner diameter of the tubular.
Implementation Method 1
an outer sleeve movable between a first position and a second position... The outer sleeve includes a plurality of panels connected to one another by a plurality of stretchable elements
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for evaluating an obstruction in a conduit of a tubular includes a first cylindrical rod connected to a deployment device configured to deploy the first cylindrical rod into the conduit of the tubular; a second cylindrical rod connected to the first cylindrical rod; an outer sleeve movable between a first position and a second position; and an impression block connected to the second cylindrical rod. The impression block is configured to obtain an impression of the obstruction. The second cylindrical rod has a diameter larger than a diameter of the first cylindrical rod, when the outer sleeve is concentrically disposed around the second cylindrical rod in the first position and concentrically disposed around the first cylindrical rod after an interaction between the outer sleeve and the obstruction. The outer sleeve includes a plurality of panels connected to one another by a plurality of stretchable elements.