Expandable Liner Hanger Circulating Sleeve Fluid Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining fluid circulation after setting an expandable liner hanger in wellbore completion operations is challenging due to the loss of circulation path, potential formation fluid surges during expansion, and operational risks associated with cement setting around running tools.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising an expandable liner hanger, a circulating sleeve with a controllable circulation valve, and a running tool that manipulates the sleeve to provide a return path internal to the liner hanger for fluid circulation after releasing the running tool, allowing for fluid communication between the inner area and the annulus of the wellbore, and includes a set-down weight feature to apply weight during completion operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an expandable liner hanger is set to seal the liner hanger to the pipe, then the seal integrity is improved, but the fluid circulation path is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid circulation path into multiple segments: the annulus path for initial circulation and the internal circulating sleeve path for post-setting circulation. This segmentation allows fluid circulation to continue through alternative routes after the liner hanger is set and seals the annulus.
Solution Approach 2:
A circulating sleeve acts as an intermediary component that provides an internal fluid passage through the liner hanger. This mediator enables fluid circulation to bypass the sealed annulus region, maintaining productivity while preserving seal integrity.
2Productivity
If the running tool remains attached to manipulate the circulating sleeve, then fluid circulation is maintained, but operational risks increase due to cement setting around the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating sleeve is pre-positioned and pre-configured within the liner hanger before cementing operations begin. The running tool manipulates the sleeve to the desired position, establishes the internal circulation path, and then can be released before cement sets, eliminating the risk of cement entrapment while maintaining circulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulating sleeve is designed to maintain fluid circulation independently once positioned. The internal passage through the sleeve allows fluid to flow automatically without requiring the running tool to remain attached for active manipulation, enabling the system to serve itself after initial setup.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the expandable liner hanger is expanded to seal the wellbore, then formation fluid surge is controlled, but the circulation path is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating sleeve serves as an intermediary that maintains fluid circulation through an internal passage after the liner hanger expands and seals the annulus. This allows completion operations to continue with fluid circulation while the seal prevents formation fluid surges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional annular circulation to a three-dimensional pathway that includes both the sealed annulus region and the internal circulating sleeve passage. This dimensional change allows fluid to route through the internal sleeve, bypassing the sealed region while maintaining circulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore completion system includes an expandable liner hanger with a post-setting fluid flow path. The system includes an expandable liner hanger that can be expanded by a running tool prior to a completion operation in a wellbore. The system also includes a circulating sleeve that can be manipulated by the running tool. The circulating sleeve can provide a return path for fluid internal to the expandable liner hanger for the completion operation that is performed subsequent to releasing the running tool from the expandable liner hanger.