Single-Trip Packer Assembly with Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packer assemblies in wellbores require multiple trips for deployment and retrieval, limiting efficiency and flexibility, and often get stuck during retrieval, necessitating additional recovery trips.
Innovation Solution
A packer assembly design that includes an upper and lower packer assembly with a tubular member to space them apart, allowing for single-trip deployment and retrieval, and a retrieval tool that can release from the packer assembly if it becomes wedged, using mechanical forces and releasable connections to facilitate easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packer assembly uses concentric mandrel configurations to operate upper and lower packers downhole, then the packer assembly can be lowered into wellbore in single trip, but other fluid flow devices cannot be used between upper and lower packers, limiting flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The packer assembly is divided into separate upper and lower packers that are not constrained by a concentric mandrel configuration. This segmentation allows independent operation of each packer and enables the insertion of additional fluid flow devices between them, resolving the conflict between single-trip deployment capability and operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If retrieval tool is incapable of releasing from packer assembly, then secure connection is maintained, but both retrieval tool and packer assembly require subsequent emergency recovery trips when packer becomes wedged
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the retrieval tool and packer assembly is made dynamic rather than static. The retrieval tool incorporates a release mechanism that can disengage the connection under specific conditions, allowing the system to transition from a secure connected state to a separated state. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining connection security during normal retrieval while enabling emergency release when the packer becomes wedged, avoiding additional recovery trips.
3Ease of operation
If multiple trips are required to remove entire packer assembly from wellbore, then thorough removal is achieved, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The upper packer, lower packer, and retrieval tool are designed to function as an integrated system that can be retrieved together in a single trip. The releasable connection allows the retrieval tool to remain attached to both packers simultaneously, enabling complete removal of the entire assembly in one operation rather than requiring multiple sequential trips, thus reducing time and cost while ensuring thorough removal.
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
Enables efficient single-trip deployment and retrieval of packer assemblies, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing the risk of getting stuck, thus minimizing costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
a support member configured to couple the latch member to the release sleeve, wherein the support member is isolated from the mechanical force
Implementation Method 2
a packing element surrounded on each side by an upper gage and a lower gage for actuating the packing element into engagement with the surrounding wellbore
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A method and apparatus for setting a packer assembly having an upper packer and a lower packer in a wellbore in a single trip into a wellbore is provided. The packer assembly is configured to be retrieved from the wellbore using a retrieval tool in a single trip into the wellbore. The retrieval tool is configured to be released from the packer assembly while in the wellbore during a retrieval process in the event that the packer assembly will not release from the wellbore or is otherwise prevented from removal from the wellbore.