Modular Downhole Reservoir Layout for Slim Borehole Isolation Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole reservoir systems increase the effective outer diameter of bottom hole assemblies, complicating their deployment through restrictive production well tubing and requiring complex routing of electrical conductors, while being incompatible with certain well-fluids and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A modular downhole tool reservoir system comprising two reservoir modules with a housing, low-pressure and high-pressure tubes, and a piston, allowing for pressurization and fluid delivery to isolation tools, enabling efficient isolation of borehole segments without increasing the assembly's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current state of the art reservoir systems are positioned within the bottom hole assembly tool string above the pump, then the reservoir fluid can be routed to the pump intake, but the effective outer diameter of the bottom hole assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir system is positioned downhole of the pump with the reservoir fluid routed through the pump, nesting the reservoir function within the existing pump assembly structure. This eliminates the need for separate fluid routing pathways that would increase the overall outer diameter, as the fluid flow path is integrated through the pump's existing internal channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the reservoir system above the pump and routing fluid upward, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the reservoir system downhole of the pump and routing the reservoir fluid through the pump in the conventional downward flow direction. This inversion allows the reservoir system to be integrated within the smaller diameter pump assembly rather than requiring additional space above it.
2Reliability
If the bottom hole assembly is run on electric wireline, then electrical power and data communication can be provided, but the wireline routing through the reservoir system complicates the design and deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor routing is extracted from the reservoir system by positioning the reservoir system downhole of the pump, where it does not interfere with wireline deployment. The pump assembly serves as the primary interface for electrical power and data communication, eliminating the need for conductors to pass through the reservoir system and thereby reducing design and deployment complexity.
3Ease of operation
If well-fluid is used to pressure the isolation tool, then the isolation tool can be pressurized, but the well-fluid may be incompatible with the pump and isolation tool
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir fluid acts as an intermediary substance between the pump/isolation tool and the well-fluid. The reservoir system carries a pump-compatible fluid downhole and delivers it to the pump intake, allowing the pump and isolation tool to operate with compatible fluid while the well-fluid remains in the borehole environment. This intermediary approach enables isolation tool pressurization without direct exposure to incompatible well-fluids.
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 pressurization and isolation of borehole segments with a compact bottom hole assembly, compatible with various well-fluids and pressures, facilitating operations like water shut-off and formation fracturing.
Implementation Method 1
The piston is exposed on a first surface to well-fluid communicated through one or more ports in the housing and isolating the reservoir fluid volume exposed to a second surface of the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed which enables the downhole provision of fluid to downhole tools that require fluid for pressurization. The system is prefilled with fluid at surface, is modular in design with a first module delivering fluid to second module and may additionally be mounted below the downhole tools requiring the fluid. Methods are disclosed which utilize the system in a bottom hole assembly during downhole operations for isolating segments of a borehole.