Inflatable Deflector for Lateral Wellbore Reentry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reentry access into lateral wellbores, such as using bent subs or inclined deflectors, face challenges like reduced wellbore diameters, increased clearance requirements, and interference with fluid flow and standard tools, necessitating improvements for efficient and unobstructed access.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable deflector tool with a body, an external inflatable bladder, and a flow restrictor that creates a pressure differential to radially extend and divert the tool into a lateral wellbore, maintaining a constant inner diameter and allowing standard tools to pass without obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bent sub is used to steer the tubing string into a lateral wellbore, then reentry access is achieved, but additional clearance is needed in the main and lateral wellbores and the diameter is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is designed as a dynamic device that transitions from a compact configuration during insertion to an extended configuration during operation. The tubular body can be radially extended or telescoped to provide the necessary deflection angle only when needed, allowing standard wellbore diameters to be maintained while achieving bent sub functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector utilizes a nested structure where the tubular body can be inserted within itself or within the tubing string in a collapsed state, then deployed to an extended state. This nesting principle allows the deflector to pass through standard wellbores and tubing while providing bent sub deflection capability when deployed.
2Ease of operation
If a bent sub is used to steer the tubing string into a lateral wellbore, then reentry access is achieved, but the reduced diameter interferes with standard tools and fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector maintains a constant inner diameter along its length and only extends radially outward for deflection purposes. This dynamic radial extension without axial reduction ensures that standard tools such as frac balls, bridge plugs, and perforating guns can pass through without interference, while still providing the necessary deflection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection capability is localized to specific regions of the tubular body rather than requiring a reduced diameter along the entire length. This allows standard tools to pass through sections with full diameter while the deflector provides localized steering capability at the intersection point.
3Ease of operation
If an inclined deflector is installed in the main wellbore to steer the tubing string into a lateral wellbore, then reentry access is achieved, but a separate installation operation is required consuming valuable well site time
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is designed as a multi-functional device that can be integrated into the tubing string assembly and serves both as a flow conduit and a steering mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate installation operations, as the deflector is deployed simultaneously with the tubing string itself, reducing well site time while maintaining reentry capability.
4Ease of operation
If the deflector is extended radially to provide deflection capability, then steering into lateral wellbore is achieved, but the wellbore clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector employs dynamic radial extension where the tubular body can be extended outward only when needed for deflection, and retracted or collapsed when not in use. This allows maximum steering capability when the deflector is extended while minimizing clearance requirements during insertion and when the deflector is not actively deflecting the tubing string.
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 inflatable deflector tool enables efficient reentry into lateral wellbores with a larger inner diameter, reducing the need for additional clearance and allowing standard tools to pass, thereby improving access and operational efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The flow restrictor can create a pressure differential across the tool when fluid pressure rises at an inlet of the internal flow passage
Implementation Method 2
The pressure differential can cause inflation of the inflatable bladder and a surface of the inflatable bladder can be extended radially outward from the body
Data Source
AI summary
A tool, system, and method for reentry access into a lateral wellbore. The tool, utilized in the system and the method, can include a body with an internal flow passage, an inflatable bladder disposed along an exterior portion of the body, and a flow restrictor that can partially restrict fluid flow through the internal flow passage and create a pressure differential across the tool when fluid pressure rises at an inlet of the internal flow passage. The pressure differential can cause inflation of the inflatable bladder and a surface of the inflatable bladder can be extended radially outward from the body in response to the inflation, where the extended surface can push the tool away from a wall of a main wellbore toward an opposite wall of the main wellbore and divert the tool into a lateral wellbore.