Impact-Triggered Floatation Tool for Lateral Casing Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in oil and gas production is the difficulty in placing casing strings to their target depth due to extreme frictional forces in lengthy lateral bores, which are exacerbated by the weight of the production string and completion fluid, hindering seamless fluid circulation and oil production.
Innovation Solution
A floatation device with a cylindrical tool featuring a selectively activatable barrier that shatters upon impact, allowing air to fill the pipe downstream, reducing frictional forces by utilizing buoyant forces and enabling easier placement and fluid circulation without additional drilling tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the production string is forced to target depth in lengthy lateral bores, then oil production can be achieved, but extreme frictional forces along the line sitting on the bottom side of the bore increase, making placement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floatation device that fills the downstream portion of the pipe with air, creating buoyant forces that counteract the weight of the production string and completion fluid. This reduces the effective load on the pipe, decreasing frictional forces and enabling easier placement to target depth while maintaining oil production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pneumatic system where air is introduced into the downstream portion of the pipe through a floatation device. The air-filled section creates buoyancy to reduce friction, and the system includes valves and pressure control mechanisms to manage the air fluidization, solving the placement difficulty while preserving productivity
2Ease of operation
If air is used to fill the pipe downstream to reduce friction, then buoyant forces reduce frictional forces on the pipe, but the barrier must be selectively activated to allow fluid communication between upstream and downstream portions
Solution Approach 1:
The floatation device is pre-installed in the pipe before deployment, with the barrier already in place separating the upstream and downstream portions. The air-filled section is prepared in advance, and the barrier is designed to activate automatically upon impact or pressure differential, eliminating the need for complex external activation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier is designed to activate automatically through self-service mechanisms such as impact-triggered shattering or pressure differential activation. Once activated, the barrier itself opens the fluid communication path without requiring external control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining the friction reduction benefit
3Ease of operation
If the completion fluid weight is considered (20 pounds per gallon with more than 4 gallons per foot), then the combined weight hinders positioning of the casing string at desired depth, but reducing fluid volume may affect production requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The floatation device creates buoyant forces by filling the downstream pipe section with air, which counteracts the weight of the completion fluid and production string. This allows the system to maintain the necessary completion fluid volume for production while reducing the effective weight during placement to facilitate positioning at desired depth
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe is segmented into upstream and downstream portions by the barrier, with the downstream portion filled with air for buoyancy during placement. After positioning, the barrier activates to allow fluid communication, enabling the system to have different fluid configurations during placement versus production, thus solving both positioning and production requirements
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 effectively reduces frictional forces, facilitating the placement of casing strings at the desired depth and enabling seamless fluid circulation, thus enhancing oil production efficiency by minimizing the weight and hindrances associated with the completion string.
Implementation Method 1
Buoyant forces on the air-filled portion of the pipe downstream of the tool can help in reducing frictional forces on the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus and system, and a method of using the same, comprising An apparatus comprising: a first outer pipe; a central housing attached to the first outer pipe, an annular piston that can impact a brittle barrier, the annular piston comprising an impact surface; a brittle barrier, wherein the brittle barrier is separated from the impact surface by a distance, and wherein the brittle barrier comprises a set of materials; and a second outer pipe attached to the central housing, wherein the central housing is positioned between the first outer pipe and the second outer pipe; wherein the brittle barrier is positioned within one or more of the central housing and the second outer pipe; wherein the annular piston is attached to one or more of the first outer pipe and the central housing via a releasable fastener.