Laser Wellbore Plug and Abandonment Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plug and abandonment (P&A) operations in wellbores require expensive and time-consuming full drilling rigs to secure and isolate hydrocarbons and wellbore fluids, occupying a large footprint at the wellsite surface.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a downhole tool with a laser cutting apparatus to remove material from the wellbore, casing, and cement sheath, and a sealing material to create a plug, allowing for efficient isolation without the need for a full drilling rig, using coiled tubing or wireline conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional full drilling rigs are used for P&A operations, then the wellbore can be securely isolated, but the equipment footprint, operational time, and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidequipment footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drilling rig system with a laser-based energy system. The laser cutting apparatus uses optical energy to remove material and create voids for cement plugs, eliminating the need for mechanical drilling equipment and significantly reducing surface footprint while maintaining isolation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters from mechanical force-based drilling to energy-based laser processing. This parameter change allows for precise material removal and sealing operations without requiring the massive equipment footprint of conventional drilling rigs, thereby reducing equipment area while preserving isolation reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional full drilling rigs are used for P&A operations, then the wellbore can be securely isolated, but the operational time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The substitution of mechanical drilling with laser processing enables faster material removal and sealing operations. The laser cutting apparatus can quickly create voids and prepare surfaces for cement plugs without the time-consuming mechanical drilling process, thereby reducing operational time while maintaining isolation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential function of material removal and sealing from the complex drilling rig system, isolating it into a focused laser cutting apparatus and cement placement system. This extraction eliminates unnecessary equipment and operations, significantly reducing operational time while preserving the core isolation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If conventional full drilling rigs are used for P&A operations, then the wellbore can be securely isolated, but the equipment footprint and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidequipment mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical drilling rig equipment with lighter laser-based processing equipment. The laser cutting apparatus and associated cement placement equipment have significantly reduced mass compared to conventional drilling rigs, reducing equipment weight while maintaining isolation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach reduces equipment footprint, operational time, and cost by enabling precise material removal and sealing within the wellbore, using a smaller wellsite setup and more efficient processes compared to conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

operating the laser cutting apparatus to remove material from at least one of a subterranean formation penetrated by the wellbore, a casing secured within the wellbore, and/or a cement sheath securing the casing within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

The laser beam 252 may then be utilized to remove or cut a portion of the casing 122, the cement sheath 124, and/or the formation 130

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

a heating device operable to melt the sealing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS11041354B2Wellbore plug and abandonment

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A downhole tool for conveyance within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a sealing material and a laser apparatus, and is operable to create and fill a void with the sealing material to form a plug during a plug and abandonment operation.