Hydraulic Wellbore Anchoring System with Sequential Slip Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore anchoring systems face challenges with reliability, complexity, and high removal forces, particularly when attempting to withdraw the anchoring system from a wellbore, as they often require substantial upward forces and separate setting tools for mechanical devices.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic wellbore anchoring system with an elongated body featuring upper and lower slip systems that expand laterally using hydraulic pressure, allowing for sequential retraction of slips with a predetermined upward force, reducing the force required for removal and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical anchors with dogs or slips are used to grip the wellbore, then anchoring strength is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring separate setting tools and mandrels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anchoring function and setting function into a single integrated device. The slips are directly attached to the mandrel body and are set by simply rotating the mandrel, eliminating the need for separate setting tools. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining anchoring strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel itself serves dual purposes: it is both the structural body and the setting mechanism. By rotating the mandrel, the slips are automatically set without requiring external tools. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining effective anchoring capability.
2Reliability
If substantial upward forces are applied to withdraw mechanical anchors, then anchoring security is improved, but loss of energy increases due to high removal forces required
Solution Approach 1:
The slips are designed with movable bodies that can dynamically adjust their position. During withdrawal, the slips can be pushed back along the mandrel and disengage sequentially, reducing the force required for removal. This dynamic design maintains anchoring security during operation while enabling easier withdrawal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system uses multiple slips distributed around the mandrel that can be retracted sequentially rather than all at once. This segmentation of the withdrawal process reduces the peak force required, as slips are disengaged one at a time rather than simultaneously, thereby reducing energy loss during removal.
3Reliability
If separate setting tools are used to apply setting force to mechanical anchors, then anchoring reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The setting function is merged into the mandrel itself. The slips are directly mounted on the mandrel and are set by rotating the mandrel, eliminating the need for separate setting tools. This integration simplifies the operation and improves productivity while maintaining anchoring reliability through proper mechanical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel performs the setting operation on itself through rotation. The slips are automatically engaged with the wellbore when the mandrel is rotated, eliminating the need for external setting tools. This self-service mechanism improves productivity by reducing operational steps while ensuring reliable anchoring through direct mechanical engagement.
4Strength
If mechanical setting mechanisms are used with considerable forces, then anchoring strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity of setting and release mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel automatically sets and releases the slips through simple rotation. No complex external mechanisms are needed - the operator simply rotates the mandrel to engage or disengage the slips. This self-service operation maintains strong anchoring capability while greatly simplifying the ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The slips are designed to dynamically respond to mandrel rotation. During setting, rotation causes the slips to engage with the wellbore; during release, reverse rotation causes them to disengage. This dynamic response mechanism maintains anchoring strength while improving ease of operation through simple rotational control.
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 system enables reliable anchoring with simultaneous slip expansion and sequential retraction, lowering the removal force needed, thus improving simplicity and efficiency compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The setting system is a hydraulic setting system and application of a predetermined hydraulic pressure to the system expands the at least one upper slip (30) and the at least one lower slip (30) laterally to the set position
Implementation Method 2
application of a hydraulic fluid at a predetermined pressure within the internal upper channel (15), the internal mandrel channel (55), the internal lower channel (65), and the inner chamber (75), causes the piston assembly to move upwardly along the longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D~2E
AI summary
A hydraulic wellbore anchoring system for use with whipstocks or other tools in either cased or open hole wellbores. The anchoring system includes an upper slip system and a lower slip system. The anchor system may be set using hydraulic pressure and withdrawn by a predetermined upward force. While the slips of the upper and lower slip systems may be set substantially simultaneously, the anchoring system enables sequential disengagement of the slips to reduce the force required for withdrawal.