Nested Capillary Tubing for Downhole Data Cable Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for injecting materials into oil and gas wells face challenges with damage to capillary tubing and data cables due to their placement outside the production tubular, leading to potential blockages and reduced fluid production, especially when multiple cables are used.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a data cable within the capillary tubing, which acts as armor, and using a downhole chemical injection bypass valve to protect the data cable while allowing fluid flow, thereby reducing the risk of damage and maintaining efficient fluid production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capillary tubing and data cable are attached to the exterior of the production tubular, then real-time data collection and chemical injection are enabled, but the capillary tubing and data cable are easily damaged by being caught between the production tubular and rock sidewall
Solution Approach 1:
The data cable is placed inside the capillary tubing, creating a nested configuration where the capillary tubing acts as protective armor for the data cable. This resolves the contradiction by protecting the data cable from damage while maintaining the functionality of both components without requiring separate external routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the data cable and capillary tubing into a single integrated assembly where the capillary tubing serves dual purposes as both fluid conduit and protective sheath for the data cable. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system while improving reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple capillary tubing are placed within the production tubular, then chemical injection capability is improved, but the amount of wellbore fluid that may be produced through the tubular is negatively impacted and the potential for damage to either the capillary tubing or data cable is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the data cable within the capillary tubing, the patent enables chemical injection functionality while minimizing the space occupied in the wellbore. This allows wellbore fluid to flow around the single capillary tubing assembly without significant restriction, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving chemical injection capability.
3Reliability
If capillary tubing is used as armor for the data cable, then the data cable is protected from damage, but the fluid flow pathway must be maintained through the capillary tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary tubing is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a fluid conduit for chemical injection, provides protective armor for the data cable, and maintains fluid flow pathways. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling both protection and efficient fluid flow without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing downhole chemical injection to at least a first location while also providing power and/or communication between a tool or sensors located below the first location. The system includes a capillary tubing encasing an inner data cable or second capillary tubing while providing sufficient clearance between the data cable or second capillary tubing and the inner wall of the capillary tubing so that fluid may pass through the first capillary tubing to at least a first location while the data cable may pass through to at least the first location or may pass through and below the first location to a tool or sensor package below.