Liner Drilling and Cementing System Single Trip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well drilling and casing methods require multiple trips, increasing operational complexity and time, especially when installing liners, as they lack efficient methods for simultaneous drilling and cementing in a single trip.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a liner is coupled to a drill string with a diverter establishing a cement path, allowing cement to be pumped downhole and uphole to secure the liner in place during a single downhole trip, utilizing an annulus isolator to prevent cement flow into the wellbore annulus and a displacement fluid to displace cement effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to install liner and cement casing, then proper cement placement is achieved, but multiple trips are required increasing operational time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines drilling, liner installation, and cementing operations into a single integrated process. The liner is coupled to the drill string, allowing simultaneous drilling and liner placement. Cementing is then performed in the same trip by pumping cement through the drill string and into the annulus between the liner and wellbore, eliminating the need for separate trips for each operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill string serves multiple functions: it acts as the drilling tool, the liner carrier, and the cement delivery conduit. The diverter component provides multi-functionality by directing cement flow to different locations (annulus, liner interior, or formation) as needed during the single trip operation.
2Reliability
If liner is cemented in conventional manner, then liner is secured in place, but annulus may experience sloughing or filling requiring additional operations
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter acts as an intermediary device that controls and directs cement flow. It can redirect cement into the annulus between the liner and wellbore, ensuring proper cement placement without sloughing or filling. This controlled delivery mechanism prevents common cementing problems while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple trips are used for drilling and cementing, then each operation can be performed separately, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges drilling, liner installation, and cementing into a single operational sequence. The liner is attached to the drill string before entering the wellbore, allowing simultaneous drilling and liner placement. Cementing equipment is integrated onto the drill string, enabling cement delivery during the same trip, thereby simplifying the overall operational process despite the sophisticated equipment design.
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
Enables efficient drilling and cementing of liners in a single trip, reducing operational time and complexity by ensuring proper cement placement and minimizing sloughing or filling of the annulus, thus enhancing the stability and efficiency of the well completion process.
Implementation Method 1
a downhole cement path is established using a diverter, and through a bore of the drill string into the liner annulus
Implementation Method 2
The bore of the liner is isolated from a wellbore annulus radially between the liner and the wellbore
Implementation Method 3
A displacement fluid is pumped along the cement path to displace the cement into the wellbore annulus and cement the liner in place
Implementation Method 4
drilling at least a portion of a wellbore while running a liner into the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A liner drilling system and method to at least partially drill a wellbore with a liner and cement the liner in place in the wellbore, in a single downhole trip. An example system includes a liner releasably coupled to a drill string. The drill string extends through an axial bore of the liner and a downhole end includes a bottomhole assembly and a drill bit that rotate to drill a portion of a wellbore. A liner annulus is formed between the drill string and the liner. An annulus isolator is coupled to the liner and isolates flow within the bore of the liner from flowing through at least a portion of a wellbore annulus between the liner and the wellbore. A diverter in the drill string is positioned uphole of the bottomhole assembly and establishes a cement flow path into the liner annulus.