Inductive Coupler Segments for Wellbore Junction Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the oil and gas industry, establishing reliable communication and power transmission between lateral and main wellbores is challenging due to pressure barriers and the complexity of deploying cables through junctions, which often results in sealing issues and limited connectivity, especially in multilateral wellbore systems.
Innovation Solution
A unitary multilateral junction assembly with deformable conduits and inductive coupler segments allows for wireless energy and data transfer between the main and lateral wellbores, eliminating the need for physical connectors and minimizing sealing problems by using a deformable conduit that can be assembled on the surface and deployed as a single unit, ensuring reliable high-pressure containment and efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are deployed through junctions to establish communication and power transmission between main and lateral wellbores, then connectivity is achieved, but sealing issues and pressure barrier integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable connections through pressure barriers with inductive coupling, a non-contact electromagnetic energy transfer system. The inductive coupler segments transmit power and data signals wirelessly across the junction between main and lateral wellbores, eliminating the need for physical cable penetrations that would compromise sealing integrity and pressure containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive coupler segments act as intermediary devices that bridge the gap between the main wellbore and lateral wellbores without direct physical contact. These couplers enable energy and signal transfer through electromagnetic fields, serving as a mediator that maintains the integrity of pressure barriers while achieving connectivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate trips are used to install completion equipment in multiple wellbores, then equipment installation is possible, but installation time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the installation operations for multiple wellbores into a single trip by deploying a unitary junction assembly that incorporates inductive coupler segments for both the main wellbore and lateral wellbores. This allows completion equipment to be installed simultaneously across multiple wellbores, eliminating the need for separate trips and significantly reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary junction assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the wellbore junction, contains inductive coupler segments for energy transfer, and enables completion equipment installation across multiple wellbores in a single operation. This multi-functional design streamlines the installation process.
3Reliability
If physical connectors are used at wellbore junctions, then electrical connection is established, but debris-induced sealing failures and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical physical connectors with inductive coupling, an electromagnetic field-based energy transfer system. The inductive coupler segments transmit electrical energy and data signals without direct contact, eliminating sealing surfaces that could be compromised by debris and preventing the sealing failures associated with traditional mechanical connectors.
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
This solution enables seamless power and data transfer across wellbore junctions, enhancing reservoir efficiency by maintaining pressure integrity and reducing the risk of debris-induced sealing failures, thus improving the reliability of intelligent well completion systems.
Implementation Method 1
inductive coupler segments allows for wireless energy and data transfer between the main and lateral wellbores
Data Source
AI summary
A unitary multilateral junction for deployment in a wellbore, wherein the multilateral junction permits electrical power and communications signals to be established in both a lateral wellbore and a main wellbore utilizing. The unitary junction assembly generally includes a conduit with a first upper aperture, a first lower aperture and a second lower aperture where the first lower aperture is defined at the distal end of a primary passageway extending from a conduit junction and a second lower aperture defined at the distal end of a lateral passageway extending from the conduit junction. A lower wireless energy transfer mechanism is positioned along at least one of the passageways between the distal end of the passageway and the junction. The lower wireless energy transfer mechanism is in wired communication an upper energy transfer mechanism permitting electrical communication to be established across the intersection of wellbore branches utilizing the unitary junction.