Mechanical Packer Feedthrough for Splice-Free Control Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical packers require splicing or cutting of control lines to be fed through or placed internal to the packing element, leading to potential leaks, signal degradation, and increased operational time during installation.
Innovation Solution
Mechanical packers with feedthrough control lines that are installed externally and positioned internally without splicing, utilizing a packer mandrel and packing element assembly with an interior channel, allowing for quicker and reliable installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control lines are fed through or placed internal to the packing element, then the control line positioning is achieved, but splicing or cutting is required which causes leaks, signal degradation, and increased operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The packing element is divided into multiple segments or layers, creating distinct pathways. The interior channel is formed as a separate pathway through the packing element structure, allowing the control line to pass through without penetrating or splicing the sealing portions of the packing element.
Solution Approach 2:
An interior channel acts as an intermediary pathway within the packing element. This channel provides a dedicated route for the control line to pass through the packing element internally without requiring the control line to cut through or splice with the packing element material itself.
2Ease of operation
If control lines are spliced to be fed through the packer, then the control line can be positioned internally, but installation time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interior channel is pre-formed as part of the packing element structure before installation. The control line can be threaded through this pre-existing channel during installation without requiring splicing operations, eliminating the time-consuming splicing step while achieving internal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The splicing operation is extracted or removed from the installation process. By providing a pre-formed interior channel, the patent eliminates the need to perform splicing or cutting operations during installation, allowing the control line to be simply threaded through the channel.
3Ease of operation
If control lines are cut or spliced for feedthrough, then the control line can pass through the packer, but leak paths and signal quality degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The packing element is segmented into sealing portions and a channel-forming portion. The interior channel is created as a separate pathway that does not compromise the integrity of the sealing portions, preventing leak paths while allowing control line feedthrough.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior channel serves as an intermediary pathway that allows the control line to pass through the packing element without directly interacting with or compromising the sealing material. This prevents both liquid/hydrocarbon leaks and signal degradation that would occur with cutting or splicing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an apparatus and method related to a splice-free feedthrough mechanical packer. In one embodiment, an apparatus to be positioned in a wellbore comprises a packer mandrel; and a packing element assembly including at least a packing element and an interior channel; wherein a continuous control line is configured to be installed external to the packer mandrel and positioned in the interior channel of the packing element assembly without being spliced.