Lateral Deflector Feedthrough for Intelligent System Connection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Lateral deflectors in multilateral wells obstruct the coupling of control lines downhole, preventing intelligent systems from being controlled or communicated with from the surface, and pose a risk of damage to equipment due to the need to keep the primary borehole clear for drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

A lateral deflector design that includes a removable top to protect the feedthrough during drilling, allowing for the connection of control lines to intelligent systems positioned downhole after drilling is complete, utilizing a deflection surface to guide the drill string and a control line connector head to establish communication with intelligent tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a lateral deflector is placed in the primary borehole to drill lateral boreholes, then the lateral borehole can be drilled at the desired orientation, but the lateral deflector blocks coupling of control lines downhole and prevents intelligent systems from being controlled or communicated with from the surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to drill lateral borehole at desired orientationVSAvoidblockage of control line coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral deflector is divided into a body portion and a removable cap portion. The cap can be removed after drilling to expose the feedthrough, allowing control lines to be coupled downhole. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the drilling function (cap in place) from the control line access function (cap removed).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feedthrough is pre-installed within the lateral deflector body before drilling operations. The removable cap is placed over the feedthrough during drilling to protect it, then removed afterward to enable control line coupling. This preliminary installation allows both drilling and subsequent control line access without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the inner diameter of the primary borehole is kept clear of equipment during lateral borehole drilling, then the drill string can operate without damage, but any equipment inside the inner diameter may be damaged by the drill string

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of equipment damage from drill string

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feedthrough is nested within the lateral deflector body, which itself is positioned in the primary borehole. The removable cap provides an outer protective layer during drilling. This nested arrangement allows equipment to be present in the primary borehole without being exposed to direct contact with the drill string, as long as the cap remains in place during drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable cap serves as protective cushioning for the feedthrough during the drilling operation. By placing the cap over the feedthrough before drilling begins, the system prevents potential damage from drill string contact while maintaining the ability to access the feedthrough afterward by simply removing the cap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a removable top is added to the lateral deflector to protect the feedthrough during drilling, then the feedthrough can be protected and exposed post-drilling, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedthrough protection during drillingVSAvoidlateral deflector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral deflector is segmented into a body and a removable cap. This segmentation adds protection functionality without requiring complete redesign of the entire device. The cap is a separate, relatively simple component that can be manufactured and installed independently, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while providing necessary protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cap is designed to be removable rather than fixed, making the lateral deflector a dynamic structure that can change configuration based on operational phase. During drilling, the cap is in place providing protection; after drilling, the cap is removed to enable access. This dynamic approach allows a single structure to serve multiple functions without requiring permanently complex features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10443355B2Lateral deflector with feedthrough for connection to intelligent systems

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Provided are systems for connecting a control line to an intelligent tool positioned below a lateral borehole junction in accordance with the disclosure and the illustrated FIGURES. An example system comprises a lateral deflector. The lateral deflector comprises a lateral deflector body, a lateral deflector top coupled to the lateral deflector body, a deflection surface, and a feedthrough which is covered by the lateral deflector top when the lateral deflector top is coupled to the lateral deflector body. The lateral deflector top is removable and configured to be decoupled from the lateral deflector body. The system further comprises a tubular string, a control line connector head coupled to the tubular string, a first control line coupled to the feedthrough and descending downhole of the lateral borehole junction, and a second control line coupled to the control line connector head and descending downhole from the surface.