Temporary Support Device for Oil Well Casing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods require a significant waiting period after cementing the surface casing of an oil or gas well, as additional weight on the tubing head can cause the casing to sink or slip during drilling operations until the cement sets, leading to prolonged rig time and operational delays.
Innovation Solution
A temporary support device with adjustable hydraulic positional regulation and mechanical safety latches is used to securely hold the casing in place, allowing immediate operation and reducing waiting times by providing a stable support until the cement sets, featuring a holding structure mounted around the casing with adjustable support arms and hydraulic cylinders for precise positioning and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cementation is carried out to immobilize the surface casing, then the casing can support heavy weights of blow-out preventers and drilling tools, but a waiting period of six hours or more is required for the cement to set, halting drilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
A temporary support device is installed on the casing before cementation to provide immediate mechanical support. This preliminary action allows drilling operations to continue without interruption, as the support device carries the load during the cement setting period, eliminating the six-hour or longer waiting time that would otherwise halt operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary support device acts as an intermediary between the casing and the blow-out preventers/drilling tools. It provides a mechanical bridge that distributes and supports the heavy weights during the critical period when cement is not yet set, allowing the casing to eventually bear the full load once cement hardens without requiring operational interruption.
2Productivity
If additional weight is applied to the tubing head before cement sets, then drilling operations can proceed immediately, but the casing will sink or slip down the well bore
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary support device provides a counterbalancing support force that opposes the downward force of heavy drilling equipment. By positioning support arms against the casing and transferring load to the wellbore structure, the device creates a counterweight effect that prevents casing sinking or slipping while allowing full drilling operational capacity to be maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device serves as an intermediary load-bearing structure between the heavy drilling equipment and the uncured cement-cased casing. It distributes the applied weights through its support arms and anchoring mechanism, preventing direct transmission of load to the unstable casing-cement interface, thereby maintaining both operational productivity and casing positional stability.
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
This solution reduces operational delays by enabling immediate use of blow-out preventers and drilling tools without risking the casing's stability, saving at least five hours of waiting time and ensuring safe support until the cement is set, thereby enhancing drilling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Hydraulic positional regulation is necessary since the distances between cellar floors and well head, wedge device or collar device landing point is unknown and/or variable
Implementation Method 2
Positional fixing arms act as a mechanical safety latch supporting the weight if hydraulic means fail
Data Source
AI summary
A temporary support device for oil well tubes and method of use. The device comprises a holding structure (10) to be applied to the well surface casing (1), a holding base (20) resting on the well's cellar floor (40) and sets of adjustable supporting arms (30) connecting said holding structure (10) and said supporting base (20). The supporting base (20) is assembled and placed on the well's cellar floor (40) and the holding structure (10) is arranged around the upper end of the casing (1), alone or along with the tubular application device (2, 4, 5). Thereby, casing (1) is supported by the device of the invention. This supporting action is temporary until some operation is carried out and/or cementation and setting of the region surrounding tube (1) is produced, causing the tube to be permanently fixed in place. The method is comprised of a series of steps through which the supporting base (20) is placed, the holding structure (10) is mounted, positional regulation arms (31) are actioned, positional fixing arms (35) are arranged; and the device remains active, at least, during the period of time during which the operation lasts or until cementation of the tube (1) takes place.