Bottomhole Assembly With Hydraulic Anchoring and Tool Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore operations require multiple tools to perform various tasks, such as stimulation and production of hydrocarbons, which is inefficient and lacks a single tool capable of performing multiple operations in a controlled manner.
Innovation Solution
A bottomhole assembly configured with a valve and wellbore tool that can be deployed downhole via a conveyance system, featuring a valve that switches between circulation, actuation-facilitating, and flow-through configurations, allowing hydraulic actuation and fluid flow control for multiple wellbore operations, including debris removal and wellbore feature manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tools are used to perform different wellbore operations, then each operation can be performed with a specialized tool, but the overall process becomes more complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bottomhole assembly integrates multiple functions into a single tool by incorporating a valve that can operate in different configurations (circulation, actuation-facilitating, flow-through) and includes both a wellbore tool and clean-out flow communicator. This allows one assembly to perform stimulation, production, and debris removal operations, directly resolving the contradiction by reducing the number of tools while maintaining operational versatility.
2Productivity
If a single tool performs multiple operations, then operational efficiency improves, but the tool complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with dynamic configurability, transitioning between different operational states (circulation configuration, actuation-facilitating configuration, flow-through configuration) based on the required operation. This dynamic adaptation allows a single tool to handle multiple functions without permanent structural complexity, as the complexity is activated only when needed through configuration changes rather than being permanently present in all components.
3Ease of operation
If fluid flow paths are simplified, then the tool design becomes easier, but control over fluid flow for different operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow system is segmented into distinct passages (uphole passage, downhole passage) with dedicated flow communicators and controlled by the valve's different configurations. This segmentation allows precise control over fluid flow for different operations (circulation vs. clean-out) while maintaining manageable complexity through modular passage design, resolving the contradiction between flow control capability and design simplicity.
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 a single tool to perform multiple wellbore operations efficiently, including debris removal and wellbore feature manipulation, enhancing operational control and efficiency in hydrocarbon production.
Implementation Method 1
the valve is configurable in a circulation configuration, an actuation-facilitating configuration, and a flow-through configuration; while the valve is disposed in a circulation configuration, flow communication is established between the uphole passage and an environment external to the bottomhole assembly
Implementation Method 2
supplying pressurized fluid to a wellbore space, external to the bottomhole assembly, with effect that: the bottomhole assembly is moved downhole within the wellbore; and the pressurized fluid, being supplied to the wellbore, is conducted downhole with effect that solid debris, within the wellbore, becomes entrained within the pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 3
flow communication, between the uphole passage and the downhole passage, is sufficiently occluded, with effect that the wellbore tool is responsive to a fluid pressure force, that is communicated via the fluid passage of the conveyamce system, for effecting a hydraulically-actuated wellbore operation
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a bottomhole assembly that is deployable downhole within a wellbore via a conveyance system. The conveyance system includes a fluid conductor for effecting fluid communication between the surface and the bottomhole assembly. The bottomhole assembly includes an actuator tool and a shifting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the actuator tool is disposed for receiving transmission of a compressive force being applied to the conveyance system from the surface, and transmitting the compressive force for actuating the shifting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the actuator includes an anchoring tool configured for hydraulic actuation, via fluid pressure forces communicated by the fluid conductor of the conveyance system, for becoming retained relative to the wellbore string. In some embodiments, for example, the actuator tool also includes a linear actuator that is extendible relative to the anchoring tool, while the anchoring tool is retained relative to the wellbore string, for transmitting a force to the actuated shifting tool with effect that the shifting tool is displaced relative to the wellbore.