Hydraulic Screen Joint Flow Path Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sand control technologies for mature and deep hydrocarbon wells, such as mechanically activatable screens and gravel packing, are complex, time-consuming, and costly, leading to inefficiencies in well stabilization and hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
A joint system for coupling hydraulic screens that uses an inner and outer sleeve with a flow path to channel fluid into the screens' chambers, eliminating the need for mechanical valves and simplifying the activation process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and operational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve module with moveable parts is used to control fluid flow in hydraulic screens, then the screen can be activated and stabilized, but the manufacturing cost increases and reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the valve module with moveable parts from the hydraulic screen system. Instead of using a mechanical valve to control fluid flow, the system uses a simple flow path that allows fluid to naturally flow into chambers, eliminating the complex moving components while maintaining the activation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the screen into multiple independent chambers that can be activated individually or in sequence. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex stabilization functions without requiring complex moving parts, as each chamber can be activated independently through the flow path.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional sand control technologies such as mechanically activatable screens and gravel packing are used, then sand production can be controlled, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical activation systems with a simplified fluid-driven system. The chambers are activated by pumping fluid through the flow path, eliminating the need for complex mechanical valves and activation mechanisms, thereby reducing installation time and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure to activate the chambers and stabilize the screen. By pumping fluid into the chambers through the flow path, the system achieves screen activation and stabilization without mechanical moving parts, simplifying both installation and operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hydraulic screens are activated by applying surface applied pressure, then the production zone can be stabilized, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the expensive valve module from the screen design, reducing manufacturing costs. The simplified structure with flow paths instead of mechanical valves makes the screen easier and less expensive to manufacture while maintaining the ability to stabilize the production zone through fluid-driven chamber activation.
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 stabilizes the production zone by activating the screens using pressurized fluid, preventing fines migration and plugging, and allows for efficient hydrocarbon extraction with reduced reliability issues and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
fluid pumped into a screen and into chambers of the screen causes the screen to increase in diameter
Implementation Method 2
Activation of the chambers functions to close the annular gap between the screen and the formation walls of a production zone
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for activating chambers of downhole hydraulic screens. The apparatus comprises an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a flow path. The outer sleeve is coupled to one hydraulic screen on one end and another hydraulic screen on another end. The inner sleeve couples to base pipe at both ends. The flow path is an annulus defined between the outer diameter of the inner sleeve and the inner diameter of the outer sleeve. Hydraulic seals are formed at the interfaces between the inner sleeve and base pipe and the outer sleeve and hydraulic screens. In practice, the assembled apparatus and hydraulic screens are ran downhole to a production zone using production tubing and a running tool. Fluid from the surface is pumped into the production tubing, diverted therefrom, and into chambers of the hydraulic screens using the flow path to conduct fluid between the hydraulic screens.