Jam-releasing Pup Joint for Formation Tester Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireline formation testers often jam due to adhesion and differential pressure sticking, especially in wells with high pressure differences and thick mud cakes, leading to interrupted measurements and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A pushing and jam-releasing pup joint with a first and second jam-releasing arm, connected to a hydraulic system via three-way and two-way reversing valves, allows for controlled extension and withdrawal to apply lateral thrust and release jamming, utilizing an energy accumulator and hydraulic pressure sensor for effective operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the formation tester operates for long time at a fixed point location, then pressure and sampling measurements can be obtained, but adhesion and jamming of the formation tester occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic jam-releasing mechanism with extendable arms that can actively push against the wellbore wall to release adhesion. The arms can extend and retract dynamically to maintain contact with the wellbore wall, transforming the static formation tester into a system with active countermeasures against adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and position parameters of the formation tester by extending jam-releasing arms to alter the contact geometry between the device and wellbore wall. This parameter change allows the device to transition from a stuck state to a released state by modifying the mechanical interaction parameters.
2Measurement precision
If the difference between formation pressure and mud column pressure reaches over 10 MPa, then pressure measurement capability is maintained, but differential pressure sticking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counteracting force mechanism where the extendable jam-releasing arms push against the wellbore wall to counterbalance the differential pressure sticking force. This creates an opposing force that balances the adhesive force caused by pressure differential, allowing the device to remain in equilibrium and function properly.
3Measurement precision
If the probe and support arm are extended to contact the well wall, then setting is formed for measurement, but jamming occurs due to adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The formation tester performs self-service by incorporating jam-releasing arms that can autonomously detect and counteract adhesion forces. The system monitors its own operational state and activates the releasing mechanism when jamming is detected, enabling continuous operation without external intervention.
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 effectively reduces the risk of jamming and enhances the safety of well logging by allowing reliable release from adhesion and differential pressure sticking, ensuring continuous measurement operations.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic system via three-way and two-way reversing valves, allows for controlled extension and withdrawal to apply lateral thrust
Implementation Method 2
connected to a hydraulic system via three-way and two-way reversing valves, allows for controlled extension and withdrawal to apply lateral thrust and release jamming, utilizing an energy accumulator
Data Source
AI summary
A pushing and jam-releasing pup joint of a formation tester comprises a first jam-releasing arm (1), a first three-way reversing valve (V1), a two-way reversing valve (V2) and a third three-way reversing valve (V4), a withdrawal cavity (Q11) of the first jam-releasing arm (1) is connected with the first three-way reversing valve (V1) which can communicate with an energy accumulation cavity (NQ) of an energy accumulator and the two-way reversing valve (V2), the two-way reversing valve (V2) can be communicated with a pressure oil main line (G2) of a hydraulic system, and an extension cavity (Q12) of the first jam-releasing arm (1) is connected with the third three-way reversing valve (V4) which can communicate with the pressure oil main line (G2) and a return oil main line (G1) of hydraulic system. Jam-releasing pup joint effectively solves the problem of jam release when mud adheres to EFDT and makes same jammed.