Interchangeable Profile Inserts for Tubing Tool Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In oilfield service applications, particularly during multilateral junction construction, tools face difficulties in being accurately located and oriented within tubing strings, especially when directional tools are used, leading to challenges in performing desired operations.

Innovation Solution

A system with a latching section featuring interchangeable profile inserts that create specific key profiles for tool alignment, allowing for both longitudinal and rotational latching, facilitating precise tool placement and orientation within the tubing string.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a specific tool is selected for use at a specific lateral junction of a multilateral completion tubing string, then the tool can be optimized for that specific operation, but difficulties arise in locating the tool at the desired junction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool selection for specific operationVSAvoidtool location at desired junction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tubing string is segmented into multiple sections, each with unique identification features and latching mechanisms. The alignment assembly is segmented into a body and a removable insert with identification features, allowing the tool to be directed to specific segments (lateral junctions) through matching identification patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary alignment assembly acts as a mediator between the tool and the tubing string sections. This assembly includes identification features that match specific tubing sections and a latching mechanism that secures the tool at the desired location, facilitating precise tool placement without direct manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If directional tools are used in multilateral completion, then specific operations can be performed at targeted locations, but difficulties arise in properly orienting and locating the tool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional tool capabilityVSAvoidtool orientation and location precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Asymmetric identification features (protrusions and recesses) are incorporated into both the tubing string sections and the alignment assembly insert. These asymmetric features ensure that the tool can only be oriented in the correct rotational position, providing precise angular orientation in addition to longitudinal positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical orientation systems with a simpler identification and latching mechanism. The asymmetric identification features and corresponding latching structure automatically guide and secure the tool in the correct orientation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable profile inserts are used to create different key profiles, then adaptability to different tools is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey profile customizationVSAvoidlatching section configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment assembly body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple different insert types. The body contains a single latching mechanism that works with all inserts, while the interchangeable inserts provide the specific identification features needed for different tubing sections, achieving multi-functionality without duplicating the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The specific identification features are extracted from the main assembly body and placed in removable inserts. This allows the complex variable part (insert identification pattern) to be separated from the simple invariant part (latching mechanism), reducing the complexity of the permanent structure while maintaining adaptability through insert replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10240415B2Alignment assembly

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A technique facilitates latching of a tool in a desired alignment within a tubing string. The tubing string comprises a latching section designed to latch the tool in a specific orientation. The latching section comprises a plurality of mounting regions designed to receive a plurality of profile inserts which are releasably engaged and interchangeable. The profile inserts may be arranged to create a key profile for engagement with a corresponding key associated with the tool. However, the profile inserts may be interchanged to change the key profile. Additionally, different combinations of profile inserts may be used to create different key profiles from one latching section to the next in tubing strings with more than one latching section.