Mobile Coiled Tubing Rig for Formation Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface coring and reverse circulation drilling methods are time-consuming due to the need for frequent connections and disconnections of threaded pipe segments, which increases operational costs and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A compact, lightweight mobile coiled tubing system that eliminates the need for threaded tubulars by using coiled tubing to raise and lower drilling and coring components, reducing the number of connections required and incorporating a pivoting cab to streamline operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If threaded pipe segments are used for coring operations, then the coring tool can be lowered into the borehole to obtain core samples, but the process becomes time-consuming due to frequent make-up and break out of multiplate sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoring operation speedVSAvoidtime for connections and disconnections

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid threaded pipe segments with flexible coiled tubing that can be deployed continuously without frequent connections. The coiled tubing is fed from a reel and can be inserted or withdrawn smoothly, eliminating the time-consuming make-up and break out operations associated with threaded sections while maintaining the ability to deliver the coring tool to the desired depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If mobile rigs with coiled tubing and threaded tubulars are combined, then both operations can be performed, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to perform multiple operationsVSAvoidrig structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a mobile rig with a universal top drive system that can perform both coring operations using coiled tubing and conventional drilling operations using threaded tubulars. The top drive is configured to handle both coiled tubing deployment and threaded tubular rotation, allowing a single rig to serve multiple functions without requiring separate specialized equipment for each operation type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11506001B2System and method of obtaining formation samples using coiled tubing

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 XTREMEX MINING TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A mobile coiled tubing rig and method for obtaining samples from a formation. The rig having a carrier, a coiled tubing reel positioned on the carrier, a mast pivotally mounted on the carrier, a coiled tubing injector mounted on the mast, at least one wrench for connecting components to the coiled tubing and to each other to form the bottom hole assembly. The rig is operable to perform earth coring operations and/or reverse circulation drilling to obtain samples of a formation for analysis.