Open Hole Completion System Using Remotely Operated Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the drilling and completion industry, activating components in an open hole environment is time-consuming due to the need to circulate objects to set packers and maintain well control, which increases rig time before additional operations can commence.
Innovation Solution
A multi-zone single trip open hole completion system with a remotely operated valve and isolation packer that allows for the selective setting of an anchor and packers by closing the valve to stop fluid flow, reducing the need for object circulation and enabling faster well operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If objects are circulated down hole to activate packers and components, then components can be set and well control is maintained, but rig time increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for circulating objects (balls) to set packers by extracting the object circulation mechanism from the system. Instead, a remotely operated valve is used to control fluid flow and set packers through pressure differentials alone, eliminating the time-consuming object circulation step while maintaining well control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical object circulation system with a remotely operated valve system controlled by fluid pressure. Instead of using physical objects (balls) to mechanically trigger packer setting, the system uses a remotely operated valve to control fluid flow paths, allowing packers to be set through pressure differentials without any object circulation.
2Ease of operation
If objects are circulated to set packers, then components can be activated, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical object circulation system with a simpler remotely operated valve system. The valve is controlled by fluid pressure signals from the surface, allowing packers to be set by simply directing fluid flow through appropriate paths without needing to circulate, retrieve, and re-circulate objects through the wellbore.
Solution Approach 2:
The remotely operated valve acts as an intermediary device between the surface control system and the downhole packers. It receives fluid pressure signals from the surface and translates them into localized pressure differentials that set the packers, eliminating the need for direct object-to-packer interaction.
3Reliability
If multiple trips are made to set packers and activate components, then proper well control is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operations (setting multiple packers, activating components, maintaining well control) into a single trip operation. The remotely operated valve system allows all these functions to be accomplished sequentially or simultaneously during one continuous operation, eliminating the need for multiple trips to and from the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The remotely operated valve serves multiple functions: controlling fluid flow paths, setting packers at different locations, maintaining well control, and enabling sequential or simultaneous activation of multiple components. This multi-functional device replaces what previously required multiple specialized operations and trips.
4Ease of operation
If objects are used to set packers, then components can be activated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the object circulation mechanism from the system entirely. Instead of having complex mechanisms for circulating, landing, and retrieving objects, the system uses a remotely operated valve that controls fluid flow to set packers through pressure differentials, significantly reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical object circulation and landing system with a fluid-pressure-controlled remotely operated valve system. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear, object retrieval operations, and complex landing mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining packer setting functionality.
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 system reduces rig time by allowing for the simultaneous setting of anchors and isolation packers without the need for object circulation, enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing the risk of crossflow and reservoir damage.
Implementation Method 1
Closing the remotely operated valve enables the anchor and the isolation packer to be set
Implementation Method 2
The remotely operated valve is operable to close fluid flow through the tubular
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-zone single trip open hole completion system includes an outer tubular assembly including an uphole end, a downhole end, an inner tubular assembly, an anchor arranged on the outer tubular assembly, and an anchor setting assembly provided on one of the outer tubular assembly and the inner tubular assembly. The anchor setting assembly is operable to selectively set the anchor. An isolation flow path is in the outer tubular. A flow control system is arranged on the inner tubular assembly. The flow control system selectively blocks flow through the inner tubular assembly. A remotely operated valve is arranged in one of the inner tubular assembly and the outer tubular assembly. The remotely operated valve is operable to close fluid flow through the tubular. An isolation packer is arranged along the outer tubular assembly. Closing the remotely operated valve enables the anchor, and the isolation packer to be set.