On/Off Tool Assembly Irrigation for Packer Seal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for completing hydrocarbon production wells often result in abrasion and damage to seals due to sediments on the packer and stinger, requiring frequent seal replacement and complicating the latching process.

Innovation Solution

An on/off tool assembly with a tool spacer sleeve and a seal pack designed to resist abrasion, where the assembly is irrigated with packer fluid to clean the packer and stinger before latching, and a breakable connection secures the on/off tool to the spacer sleeve, allowing for precise latching and minimizing seal exposure to sediments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the on/off tool is repeatedly raised and lowered on the stinger to achieve latching, then the latching operation can be completed, but the seals are abraded and damaged by sediments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching operationVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by cleaning the stinger and packer surfaces with irrigation fluid before the latching operation begins. This preliminary cleaning removes sediments that would otherwise cause abrasion during the latching process, allowing the tool to be latched without repeated raising and lowering attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses irrigation fluid as an intermediary substance to clean the contact surfaces between the on/off tool and the packer. The fluid acts as a mediator that removes harmful sediments from the stinger and packer surfaces, enabling successful latching without seal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If sediments are present on the packer and stinger, then the latching process becomes complicated requiring repeated attempts, but the seals suffer abrasion and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching processVSAvoidsediment abrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of sediments into a beneficial cleaning process. By introducing irrigation fluid that circulates through the wellbore, the sediments are washed away from the critical contact surfaces, transforming the problematic sediment-laden environment into a clean latching condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic principles by circulating irrigation fluid through the wellbore to clean the packer and stinger surfaces. The fluid flow uses hydraulic pressure to remove sediments from the contact surfaces, enabling successful latching without seal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If the on/off tool is latched multiple times to account for sediment interference, then latching can be achieved, but seal replacement frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching successVSAvoidseal replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary cleaning of the contact surfaces before latching, which prevents seal damage in the first place. This eliminates the need for subsequent seal replacements, saving time and reducing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous protection of the seals by maintaining clean contact surfaces throughout the latching operation. The irrigation fluid continues to circulate and protect the surfaces during the latching process, ensuring seal integrity is maintained without interruption or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The solution effectively prevents seal damage and enhances the sealing capability between the on/off tool and the packer stinger, reducing the need for frequent replacements and improving the efficiency of the well completion process.

Implementation Method 1

irrigating the packer by circulating packer fluid through the well bore, the assembly and the tubing string to clean the packer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid circulation cleaning: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS9151127B1On/off tool running and well completion method and assembly

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 BRANTON CHRISTOPHER A

AI summary

An on/off tool running and well completion method includes deploying a packer in a well bore; providing an assembly having an on/off tool and a tool spacer sleeve carried by the on/off tool; providing a tubing string; coupling the on/off tool of the assembly to the tubing string; inserting the assembly and the tubing string in the well bore; irrigating the packer by circulating packer fluid through the well bore, the assembly and the tubing string to clean the packer; determining a depth of the packer in the well bore; and latching the on/off tool of the assembly to the packer once.