Insulated Tubular Threaded Joint for Deep Geothermal Wells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geothermal well tubular components face challenges with high heat loss and weight, making them unsuitable for deep wells due to the use of vacuum insulated tubes (VIT) which are expensive and heavy, and unable to withstand vertical tensile and stretching forces.

Innovation Solution

A single steel tube with a thermally insulating material coating, protected by a corrosion-resistant alloy, provides thermal insulation and structural integrity, allowing for deeper well construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If vacuum insulated tubes (VIT) are used for thermal insulation, then heat loss is reduced, but weight increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidtube weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation is segmented into discrete insulation segments positioned at specific locations along the tube rather than continuous insulation. This segmentation reduces the total amount of insulating material needed, thereby reducing weight while still providing effective thermal insulation at critical heat loss zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation is applied locally at specific segments where heat loss is most critical, rather than uniformly along the entire tube length. This local quality approach concentrates insulation where it provides maximum benefit while minimizing overall material usage and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If vacuum insulated tubes (VIT) are used for thermal insulation, then heat loss is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation system is divided into separate segments that can be manufactured independently and assembled later. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing processes, allows for standardized production of individual components, and reduces the complexity and cost of creating complete insulated assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structures combining different materials (insulating material, support structures, sealing elements) in a simplified assembly. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall cost-effectiveness and manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of energy

If vacuum insulated tubes (VIT) are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but structural strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidresistance to collapse

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The tube structure is divided into segmented sections with insulation positioned at specific intervals rather than continuous insulation. This segmentation maintains the structural integrity of the main tube body while providing thermal insulation at critical segments, preserving overall strength and collapse resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support structures and framing elements act as intermediaries between the insulation segments and the main tube body. These intermediaries provide structural reinforcement at insulation locations without compromising the overall tube strength, allowing the tube to withstand collapse pressures while maintaining thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution reduces heat exchange and weight, enabling longer columns for deeper wells with improved resistance to collapse and fluid degradation, optimizing energy production.

Implementation Method 1

said internal surface being coated with a layer of a thermally insulating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

said layer of thermally insulating material being coated with a coating... the coating protects the thermally insulating material from the various products that can circulate in a geothermal well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP4423415B1Tubular metal component, tubular threaded joint comprising such a component, and method of producing such a component

Publication Date: 2025.07.16 VALLOUREC MANNESMANN OIL & GAS FRANCE

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5

AI summary

Tubular metal component (1) which can be combined with at least one other tubular metal component to form a joint, said tubular metal component (1) comprising a longitudinal axis (x), a body (12) and at least one first axial end (2) adjacent to the body (12), said first axial end (2) being provided with a connector comprising a screw thread (3, 300) and an internal abutment surface (5, 500), the tubular metal component (1) also comprising a wall (7) provided with an internal surface (8), said internal surface (8) being coated with a layer of thermally insulating material (9), said layer of thermally insulating material (9) being coated with a coating (11), said coating (11) having an axial portion (11ax) extending along the longitudinal axis (x) and a radial portion (11rad), said radial portion (11rad) extending along the internal abutment surface (5, 500).