Downhole Indicator Band and Protector Wear Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole indicators, such as snap in and snap out collets, lack reliability in providing precise feedback for reaching a selected location during subterranean drilling and completion operations, leading to less desirable completion results and increased costs due to potential misplacement.
Innovation Solution
An indicator system comprising a band with a specific radial dimension and protectors of greater radial dimension, positioned proximate to the band, which avoids wear and ensures reliable engagement with a profile groove, providing accurate weight changes to indicate landing and prevent false readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snap in and snap out collets are used for indicating landing, then the indicator can provide feedback on reaching a selected location, but the reliability is insufficient and false readings may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is divided into separate functional components: a band element for engagement with the profile groove and a protector element for preventing premature engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring reliable and precise landing indication without false readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector element acts as an intermediary between the band element and the profile groove. It prevents the band element from engaging with the profile groove prematurely, thereby eliminating false readings while ensuring accurate engagement at the correct depth, thus improving both reliability and measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If the band is exposed during running, then the indicator can engage with the profile groove, but the band is subject to wear which compromises reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The protector element serves as a sacrificial intermediary that contacts the profile groove first during running, preventing direct wear on the band element. This ensures the band remains clean and functional for reliable engagement while the protector absorbs the wear and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector element is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that sacrifices itself to protect the more critical band element. By allowing the protector to wear instead of the band, the system maintains the reliability of the engagement mechanism while the protector can be easily replaced if needed.
3Measurement precision
If the indicator is made more precise for precision-driven operations, then measurement accuracy improves, but the complexity of the indicator system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is segmented into two simple elements with distinct functions: a band element for engagement and a protector element for protection. This segmentation achieves precision through functional separation rather than complex mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the indicator have different local qualities optimized for their specific functions: the band element has properties optimized for engagement with the profile groove, while the protector element has properties optimized for wear resistance and protection. This local optimization achieves precision without requiring complex overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An indicator comprising a band having a first radial dimension; one or more protectors having a greater radial dimension and disposed sufficiently proximate the band to substantially avoid wear of the band during running of the indicator and method.