Inflatable Ring Assembly for Pipe Concentricity and Stuck Pipe Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
During hydrocarbon development operations, tubular strings often become misaligned with the bore of a subterranean well, leading to wear, damage, and the risk of getting stuck due to contact with the well's inner surface and accumulated cuttings, which reduces fluid flow velocity and can cause the string to become immovable.
Innovation Solution
A ring assembly with inflatable members is used to apply vibrational forces against the well's inner surface, maintaining the tubular string's concentricity and dispersing cuttings, while also allowing for zonal isolation and temporary sealing, and can be secured in line with the tubular string or lowered separately to address obstructions and ensure proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tubular string is lowered into the subterranean well, then the well can be equipped for hydrocarbon development operations, but the tubular string may become misaligned and contact the inner surface of the bore causing wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The ring assembly generates mechanical vibrations through its interaction with the bore wall, creating a vibrating motion that prevents the tubular string from settling against the bore surface. This vibration continuously lifts and repositions the tubular string, maintaining clearance and preventing wear and damage from contact with the inner surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing vibrational motion to the tubular string, transforming it from a static lowering operation to a dynamic vibrated descent. This parameter change from static to dynamic movement prevents misalignment and contact with the bore wall.
2Productivity
If the tubular string is moved through the bore, then installation can be completed, but accumulated cuttings can reduce fluid flow velocity and cause the string to stick
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrations generated by the ring assembly prevent cuttings from accumulating around the tubular string by continuously agitating the annular space. This mechanical vibration keeps the fluid flow velocity high and prevents the formation of stagnant zones where cuttings could accumulate and cause sticking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of cuttings accumulation into a benefit by using the vibrational energy to actively disperse and redistribute cuttings throughout the annular space. What would normally be a harmful accumulation becomes a controlled distribution that maintains fluid flow and prevents sticking.
3Reliability
If the tubular string remains concentric with the bore axis, then wear and sticking are minimized, but active measures are required to maintain alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The ring assembly serves itself by generating vibrations that automatically maintain the concentric alignment of the tubular string. The system does not require external control mechanisms or active steering; the vibrational energy inherently keeps the tubular string centered in the bore through its interaction with the bore wall.
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 ring assembly effectively prevents tubular string misalignment and sticking, reduces wear, and facilitates smooth movement by maintaining concentricity and clearing obstructions, thereby ensuring continuous operation and effective fluid circulation.
Implementation Method 1
The ring assembly can use a continuous inflation and deflation technique to cause a vibration force against the inner surface of a bore of the subterranean well
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for moving a tubular string within a subterranean well include a structural collar sized with a ring outer diameter to fit within a bore of the subterranean well. A plurality of individual openings are spaced around an outer diameter surface of the structural collar, each individual opening associated with an inflatable member. The inflatable member is operable to vibrationally impact an internal surface of the subterranean well with repeated inflating and deflating the inflatable member.