Magnetic Latching Tool for Downhole Wellbore Intercept Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well intercept operations face challenges in accurately positioning and penetrating cased target wells, particularly in well abandonment operations where surface accessibility is limited, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the difficulty in aligning the drilling well correctly with the target well.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic latching tool with circumferentially aligned permanent magnets on a nonmagnetic downhole tool body, magnetized radially and housed in a magnetically permeable material, is used to create a strong attractive force that enables magnetic coupling with the target well, allowing for precise alignment and penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional drilling methods are used to intercept cased target wells, then the drilling well can be positioned adjacent to the target well, but accurate alignment and penetration of the target well casing cannot be achieved due to positioning difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidalignment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical positioning and alignment systems with a magnetic field-based system. Permanent magnets mounted on the drill string create magnetic forces that automatically align the drilling well with the cased target well through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment procedures and significantly improving positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary force between the drilling well and the target well casing. The permanent magnets generate magnetic fields that interact with the ferromagnetic target well casing, creating an attractive force that serves as a mediator to guide and secure the drill string to the target well, simplifying the alignment operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple sidetracks are created to achieve accurate penetration, then the target well can be accessed, but costs and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical procedures involving multiple sidetracks with a magnetic alignment system. The permanent magnets provide automatic guidance and positioning, ensuring accurate penetration of the target well casing in a single operation, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If permanent magnets are mounted on the drill string, then magnetic coupling with the target well is achieved, but the magnetic field may interfere with other downhole tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic attraction forceVSAvoidmagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies magnetic fields locally only at the drill string location where penetration of the cased well is required. The permanent magnets are positioned specifically at the bottom hole assembly, creating a localized magnetic field that affects only the immediate target area, minimizing interference with other downhole tools while providing sufficient magnetic attraction force for alignment and penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 magnetic latching tool effectively aligns and secures the drill string with the target well casing, reducing the need for multiple sidetracks and minimizing costs by ensuring accurate penetration and orientation, even in well abandonment operations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one permanent magnet deployed on a nonmagnetic downhole tool body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The attractive force enables the latching tool to be magnetically coupled with the target well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9540880B2Magnetic latching device for downhole wellbore intercept operations

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A downhole magnetic latching tool includes at least one permanent magnet deployed on a non-magnetic tool body. A magnetically permeable housing is deployed about the permanent magnet. The magnetic latching tool provides an attractive magnetic force between a drill string and a cased target wellbore.