Cut-to-release packer load diverting snap ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of packers in oil and gas well operations is limited by the cross-sectional thickness of the mandrel, which restricts the maximum tensile load and pressure rating, as it determines the capability of cutting tools used for release, thereby limiting the packer's performance envelope.
Innovation Solution
The packer design distributes the tensile load between a mandrel with a reduced cross-sectional cut zone and a wedge assembly, allowing for a thinner cut zone that can be easily cut by various tools while maintaining the packer's performance envelope, using a load diverting snap ring to transfer the load to the mandrel's support portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mandrel cross-sectional thickness is reduced to enable easier cutting and tool selection, then the ease of operation and adaptability improve, but the maximum tensile load capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is segmented into a thick support portion and a thin cut zone portion, allowing the cut zone to be easily cut while the support portion maintains structural strength. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the cutting function from the load-bearing function across different spatial regions of the same component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cross-sectional thicknesses are applied to different portions of the mandrel: the support portion has greater thickness for strength, while the cut zone has reduced thickness for ease of cutting. This local differentiation of geometric properties allows each region to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mandrel cross-sectional thickness is reduced to allow flexible cutting tool selection, then the adaptability improves, but the maximum tensile load and pressure rating deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is divided into functional segments where the cut zone portion can be easily removed by various cutting tools, while the support portion retains the structural integrity needed for pressure containment. This segmentation enables adaptability in tool selection without compromising the pressure rating.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel employs non-uniform cross-sectional thickness with a reduced-thickness cut zone and a greater-thickness support portion. This local quality differentiation allows the cut zone to be adaptable to various cutting tools while the support portion maintains the pressure rating, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength.
3Strength
If the mandrel cross-sectional thickness is increased to maintain higher tensile load capacity, then the strength improves, but the ease of cutting and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is segmented into a strong support portion and a thin cut zone portion. This allows the overall structure to maintain high tensile load capacity through the thick support portion while the thin cut zone portion remains easy to cut and remove, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel features localized variation in cross-sectional thickness, with a thick support portion for strength and a thin cut zone for ease of cutting. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring uniform thickness throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
A cut-to-release packer can include a bottom sub, a wedge assembly, a mandrel, and a load diverting snap ring. The mandrel extends within the wedge assembly. The mandrel can include a support portion with a first cross-sectional thickness and a cut zone portion with a second cross-sectional thickness less than the first cross-sectional thickness, wherein the cut zone portion is disposed between the bottom sub and the support portion. Both the mandrel and the wedge assembly can be coupled to the bottom sub. The load diverting snap ring can be engaged with the mandrel along the support portion, wherein the load diverting snap ring facilitates transfer of tensile load between the wedge assembly and the support portion of the mandrel.