Inflatable Downhole Tool Buoyancy Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oil and gas industry faces challenges with the inefficiency and safety concerns of running and retrieving drill strings and tools from deep wells, leading to increased costs and non-productive time due to the need for frequent rigging and tool changes, as well as hazards associated with working around tubulars.
Innovation Solution
The development of inflatable downhole tools with pressurized containers, floatation chambers, and dissolvable plugs that allow for gravity-driven deployment and retrieval, using compressed gas to inflate and float the tools back to the surface for efficient deployment and retrieval, reducing the need for frequent rigging and minimizing exposure to hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drill strings and tools are run in and pulled out of hole using conventional methods, then operations can be performed in the well, but non-productive time increases significantly (e.g., 24 hours for 10,000 feet depth)
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mechanically pulling tools out of the wellbore, the invention uses buoyancy to make tools float upward automatically. The floatation chambers are initially deflated to allow tool descent, then inflated to create positive buoyancy that propels the tool assembly upward without requiring surface retrieval operations, effectively inverting the conventional retrieval approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses compressed gas stored in pressurized containers to inflate floatation chambers. This pneumatic system enables rapid deployment and retrieval by controlling the inflation/deflation cycles of the floatation chambers, replacing slow mechanical rigging operations with fast gas-pressure actuated buoyancy changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drill strings are run in and pulled out of hole frequently, then different operations can be performed, but safety risks and hazards increase due to working around tubulars
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly performs its own retrieval operation through self-generated buoyancy. The floatation chambers are inflated using compressed gas from onboard pressurized containers, enabling the tool to ascend the wellbore autonomously without requiring external rigging operations, thereby eliminating the need for personnel to work around tubulars during retrieval.
3Ease of operation
If conventional rigging operations are performed for tool deployment and retrieval, then tools can be positioned in the well, but operational costs increase due to extended non-productive time
Solution Approach 1:
The floatation chambers and pressurized gas containers are pre-installed and configured within the tool assembly before deployment. The dissolution plugs are pre-positioned to dissolve at predetermined depths or conditions, enabling automatic buoyancy activation without requiring complex surface operations or real-time intervention during the retrieval process.
4Extent of automation
If dissolution plugs are used to control floatation chamber inflation, then buoyancy activation is automated and timed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the dissolution plugs from solid to dissolved state through exposure to downhole conditions (temperature, pressure, or chemical environment). This phase change automatically triggers the buoyancy mechanism without requiring mechanical actuators, electronic controls, or complex timing systems, achieving automation through passive parameter-based activation.
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 significantly reduces the time and cost associated with downhole operations by enabling tools to be quickly deployed and retrieved, minimizing exposure to hazards, and optimizing the use of well resources, while allowing for interchangeable tool subs to perform various downhole jobs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressurized container disposed inside the outer shell, the pressurized container containing compressed gas
Implementation Method 2
when the at least one dissolvable plug dissolves, at least one of the floatation chambers may be inflated with compressed gas from the pressurized container(s) to float the inflatable downhole tool to an uphole position in the well
Implementation Method 3
at least one activation mechanism may be triggered to dissolve at least one of the dissolvable plugs
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable multifunctional downhole tool includes a body having an outer shell and a threaded connection at an axial end of the body, at least one pressurized container disposed inside the outer shell, the pressurized container containing compressed gas, a plurality of floatation chambers fluidly connected through connection lines to the at least one pressurized container, a dissolvable plug positioned along each of the connection lines between the floatation chambers and the at least one pressurized container, and a tool sub threadably connected to the threaded connection of the body.