One-Trip Treating Tool for Multilateral Bore Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current borehole treatment methods for multilateral wells require separate operations for each zone, making the process time-consuming and costly due to the need for multiple downhole trips and reconfiguration of treating tools.
Innovation Solution
A one-trip treating tool with a seal assembly and shroud design that allows for simultaneous treatment of a main bore and lateral bores by guiding the tool through a diverter, shifting the shroud to expose the seal assembly in the lateral bore, and then passing through to treat the main bore without surface reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate operation is performed for each zone using a diverting tool, then each zone can be treated individually, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly due to multiple downhole trips and reconfigurations
Solution Approach 1:
The treating tool is designed with a universal structure that can treat multiple zones (main bore and lateral bores) without requiring separate operations. The tool combines a seal assembly and shroud that can adapt to different bore configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and reconfigurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate treating operations into a single integrated tool. The seal assembly and shroud work together as a unified system that can switch between treating lateral bores and main bore, combining what were previously separate operations into one continuous process.
2Ease of operation
If a diverting tool is placed downhole of each lateral bore to guide the treating string, then the treating string can be directed into associated lateral bores, but the process requires repeated reconfiguration and multiple trips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diverting function from separate downhole tools and integrates it into the treating tool itself. The shroud is designed to pass over the diverter and guide the seal assembly into the lateral bore, eliminating the need for separate diverting tools placed in each lateral.
Solution Approach 2:
The treating tool employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the shroud can be shifted relative to the seal assembly. This dynamic adjustment allows the tool to switch between different operational modes (treating lateral vs. main bore) without requiring complete tool replacement or complex reconfiguration steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the treating string is withdrawn and reconfigured for each zone, then the tool can adapt to different treatment requirements, but operational costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is pre-configured with both the seal assembly and shroud in positions that enable it to treat lateral bores first. The shroud is initially positioned to guide the seal assembly into the lateral bore, and after lateral treatment, the shroud is shifted to allow the seal assembly to pass through the diverter for main bore treatment, all without withdrawing to surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a first bore and at least one second bore connected to the first bore in one downhole trip includes guiding a treating tool including a seal assembly defining and a shroud extending about the seal assembly downhole, guiding the seal assembly and the shroud along a diverter positioned near an intersection of the first bore and the at least one second bore into the at least one second bore, shifting the shroud relative to the seal assembly exposing the seal assembly in the at least one second bore, performing a first treatment in the at least one second bore, positioning the seal assembly and the shroud uphole of the diverter, passing the seal assembly through an opening in the diverter having a diverter opening, and performing a second treatment in the first bore.