Lateral Entry Guide Tool for Accurate Wellbore Window Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-lateral wellbore operations, existing technologies face challenges in accurately and efficiently entering a lateral wellbore from a main wellbore through a window, often resulting in incorrect lateral wellbore entry and collisions with the wellbore surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A lateral entry guide tool equipped with a locator subassembly and positioning subassembly, utilizing sensors and motors to detect and calibrate the window entry depth, adjust the tool's angle and direction, and extendable arms to guide the work string into the lateral wellbore safely and accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a work string is run through the main wellbore without a guide tool, then the operation is simpler and faster, but the work string may inadvertently enter the wrong lateral wellbore or collide with wellbore surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
A lateral entry guide tool is introduced as an intermediary device between the work string and the lateral wellbore window. This guide tool includes positioning subassemblies with extendable arms that can be adjusted to precisely align with the target window, preventing inadvertent entry into wrong laterals and collisions with wellbore surfaces while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tool performs preliminary positioning and alignment actions before the work string enters the lateral wellbore. The positioning subassemblies are pre-configured with locators that detect window positions and calculate optimal entry angles, ensuring accurate lateral wellbore entry is achieved before the actual entry operation occurs
2Measurement precision
If the work string is run to a distance above the window and pulled back to window entry depth, then the entry precision is improved, but the operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tool incorporates locators that detect window positions and provide real-time feedback signals. This feedback enables the positioning subassemblies to automatically calculate and adjust to the optimal window entry depth, eliminating the need for manual trial-and-error positioning and reducing overall operation time despite the additional positioning steps
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tool performs self-positioning and self-alignment operations through its automated positioning subassemblies. The system automatically detects window locations, calculates entry parameters, and adjusts its own position without requiring extensive manual intervention, thereby reducing the time loss associated with complex positioning operations
3Manufacturing precision
If the positioning subassembly is activated to adjust the tool angle and direction, then the entry accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tool replaces complex manual mechanical positioning operations with an automated control system. The positioning subassemblies use motors and sensors to automatically adjust the tool angle and direction based on locator feedback, achieving high positioning precision while simplifying operator tasks to monitoring and oversight functions
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tool is divided into functional segments including locators, positioning subassemblies, and control systems. Each segment performs a specific function independently, allowing the complex positioning task to be broken down into manageable automated steps that are easier to operate and control
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 enhances safety and accuracy by reducing incorrect lateral wellbore entries and collisions, allowing for smooth and precise entry of the work string into the desired lateral wellbore, improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The locator subassembly can include at least one of an acoustic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, or an infrared sensor
Implementation Method 2
The locator subassembly can include at least one of an acoustic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, or an infrared sensor
Implementation Method 3
The locator subassembly can include at least one of an acoustic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, or an infrared sensor
Implementation Method 4
A lateral entry guide tool equipped with a locator subassembly and positioning subassembly, utilizing sensors and motors to detect and calibrate the window entry depth, adjust the tool's angle and direction
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a lateral entry guide tool for deploying a work string in a wellbore defining a window and a lateral wellbore extending from the window are described. The work string and the tool are run through the wellbore to a distance above the window. A locator subassembly is activated to detect the window. The tool is run through the wellbore in a downhole direction from the distance above the window past the window. After the locator subassembly indicates that the tool is past the window, a window entry depth is determined based a depth at which the window was detected. The work string is pulled back to position the tool at the window entry depth. A positioning subassembly is activated. The work string is run through the window while adjusting and calibrating the positioning subassembly as the work string pass through the window into the lateral wellbore.